Published Jun 29, 2025 | 10:58 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 29, 2025 | 10:58 AM
Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri.
Synopsis: At least three people, including two women, died and several others were injured in a stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri. According to reports, six of the 50 people injured in the stampede are in critical condition.
At least three people, including two women, died and several others were injured in a stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra on Sunday, 29 June, in Puri in Odisha. The incident occurred when the three Raths carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Shubhadra were near Shree Gundicha Temple, about three km from Puri Jagannath Temple, where the Yatra began.
According to reports, six of the 50 people injured in the stampede are in critical condition.
The deceased have been identified as Premakanta Mohanty (80), Basanti Sahoo (36) and Prabhati Das (42), according to officials at the Puri District Headquarters Hospital.
The Raths were at the Gundicha temple at around 4.30 am on Sunday, where a large crowd had gathered for a darshan. As the crowd swelled, some people fell and a stampede began. Local media reports say that the police’s arrangement for crowd control at the spot was inadequate.
Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain said that the bodies of the victims had been sent for autopsy, and the examination would reveal the exact cause of death. He claimed that adequate security arrangements were in place, but the crowd suddenly went out of control, leading to the tragedy.
Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced a high-level inquiry and expressed his condolences.
“The tragedy involving three deaths has deeply saddened us. We will conduct a thorough investigation, and appropriate action will be taken against those whose negligence led to this unfortunate incident,” he said.
During the Rath Yatra, three chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Shubhadra are pulled by large crowds of devotees. These sacred Raths are taken to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities stay for a week before making their return to the Jagannath Temple.
