Three Killed, 10 Injured in Stampede During Puri Rath Yatra

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 29, 2025: Three devotees, including two women, lost their lives, and 10 others sustained injuries in a stampede during the Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri early Sunday morning. The tragic incident occurred near the Shree Gundicha Temple, approximately three kilometers from the Jagannath Temple, where the Yatra commenced.

The stampede unfolded around 4:30 a.m. when the three chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra reached the Gundicha Temple. A massive crowd had gathered for the darshan when the situation spiraled out of control, leading to the deaths of Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakant Mohanty, a 70-year-old man. All three victims hailed from Khurda district.

Local media criticized the adequacy of crowd management arrangements at the site. Some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.

Official Response
Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain stated that the victims’ bodies had been sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. He acknowledged that although security arrangements were in place, the crowd unexpectedly surged, resulting in the tragedy.

The Rath Yatra, a significant religious festival, involves the procession of three grand chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple, where they remain for a week before returning to the Jagannath Temple.

Political Row
The incident has sparked a political controversy. Former Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik criticized the alleged mismanagement, calling it a "terrible mess" and seeking forgiveness from Lord Jagannath for the chaos overshadowing the festival.

In response, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan accused the opposition of politicizing the incident. Without naming Patnaik, he remarked, "Since 1977, the chariots have always reached the Gundicha Temple on the second day."

Authorities are investigating the cause of the stampede and reviewing crowd control measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.