Three Devotees Killed in Puri Rath Yatra Stampede Amid Crowd Chaos

Massive turnout and poor crowd control during early morning rituals blamed for tragedy near Gundicha Temple

Puri, Odisha – A stampede during the Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri claimed the lives of three devotees, including two women, and left at least six others injured early Sunday morning. The incident occurred between 3:30 and 4:30 am in front of the Gundicha Temple, where the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra had been stationed overnight.

The deceased were identified as Basanti Sahu (36) of Bolagarh, Pravati Das (45) of Balipatna, and Premkant Mohanty (78) of Khurda. Two of them died on the spot, while the third succumbed to injuries at the hospital, Puri District Collector Siddhartha Shankar Swain confirmed. Six others were admitted to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital, with three already discharged.

How the Stampede Unfolded

The tragedy occurred during the early morning ritual of Pahada Bhanga, when devotees rushed to catch a glimpse of the deities still seated on the chariots. According to eyewitnesses, a sudden surge in the crowd caused people to trip and fall over each other, leading to chaos. Local residents were the first to respond and helped transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

Criticism has emerged over inadequate police deployment and lack of proper crowd control, especially during such a sensitive time. A bereaved family member said, “We arrived around 3:30 am and found a huge crowd. But not a single policeman was visible. I lost my wife due to sheer negligence.”

Further disorder reportedly occurred when a truck carrying equipment for the chariots arrived near the temple, causing more confusion.

Overcrowding and Delayed Rituals

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration had decided to perform the Adapa Mandapa Bije ritual on Sunday, requiring the deities to remain atop the chariots overnight—an unusual move, as nighttime rituals are typically avoided to prevent crowd build-up. However, news of the early morning darshan spread rapidly, drawing tens of thousands of devotees to the Gundicha Temple before dawn.

Sources said this year’s Rath Yatra witnessed 1.5 times more pilgrims than usual. On Saturday, the chariots reached the Gundicha Temple by 1:30 pm, delayed due to obstacles on Grand Road the previous day, which had already tested administrative preparedness.

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of the incident, while DGP Y.B. Khurania rushed to Puri to take stock of the situation.

Political Fallout

Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his condolences and criticised the BJP-led state government. In a social media post, he wrote, “I offer heartfelt condolences to the families of the devotees who died in the tragic stampede. I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath for the swift recovery of the injured.”

Patnaik condemned what he called “gross mismanagement” of crowd control and called the explanation for delayed chariot pulling — “Mahaprabhu’s will” — a “shocking excuse.” He warned that while he refrained from calling it criminal negligence, the government’s failure clearly contributed to the tragedy.

Recurring Issues and Logistics Challenges

The pulling of the chariots on Rath Yatra day faced significant delays. The Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra reportedly got stuck while taking a turn, delaying the movement of the other two chariots — Darpadalana (Goddess Subhadra) and Nandighosha (Lord Jagannath). Though rituals like the Pahandi Bije were completed on schedule, the actual pulling began only at 4 pm on Friday.

Officials attributed the unusually high turnout to favourable weather conditions, which intensified pressure on crowd management systems already strained from the previous day.

Conclusion

Every year, the Rath Yatra draws millions of devotees who come to witness the deities’ grand procession from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, a distance of about three kilometers. The deities stay there for a week before returning in another grand procession.

This year’s tragedy has raised serious questions about the management of one of India’s largest religious festivals. While the rituals have continued, the somber mood in Puri underscores the urgent need for improved planning, safety protocols, and crowd control mechanisms to ensure such spiritual celebrations don’t turn into calamities.