Rath Yatra celebrations in Odisha turn tragic as 1 dead, many ill in stampede-like situation

A stampede-like situation during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri on Thursday left one person dead, and nearly 100 others hospitalised after a large crowd of devotees gathered for the annual festival.

The incident occurred near the Singhadwara of the Jagannath Temple, where a sudden surge in the crowd led to panic among pilgrims. According to PTI, emergency responders evacuated several people on stretchers, while security personnel and rescue teams rushed to the spot to assist those caught in the crush and provide medical care.

Even as the incident unfolded, lakhs of devotees continued to throng Puri's Grand Road (Badadanda) to witness the world-renowned Rath Yatra. Thousands waited to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra as the deities began their annual journey to the Gundicha Temple.

Traditional rituals mark the beginning of Rath Yatra

The day's events began with the customary Pahandi ritual, during which the deities were ceremonially brought out from the sanctum sanctorum.

In keeping with long-standing tradition, Lord Sudarshan was taken out first, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath.

Before being placed on their respective chariots, the deities performed the traditional parikrama of the three newly built wooden chariots — Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana. They were then seated on their thrones in the ritual known as Ratha Bije, formally marking the beginning of the annual procession.

Religious leaders take part in ceremonies

Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peetha, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, accompanied by his disciples, visited the three chariots to offer prayers and perform special pujas.

The Chhera Pahanra ritual was later performed by the titular King of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb. Arriving in a royal palanquin, he swept the platforms of all three chariots with a golden-handled broom and sprinkled fragrant holy water, a centuries-old tradition symbolising humility and equality before the Almighty.

Devotees pull three chariots

After the completion of the royal rituals and the attachment of the wooden horses to the chariots, devotees began pulling the three chariots at around 2 pm, marking the next phase of the annual Rath Yatra.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of Hinduism's oldest and most significant festivals, marking the annual procession of Lord Jagannath along with his brother, Lord Balabhadra, and sister, Devi Subhadra. During the festival, the three deities are taken in grand wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, to the Gundicha Temple, located about 3 km away. The Gundicha Temple is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Jagannath and the home of the deities' maternal aunt.

The deities remain at the Gundicha Temple for seven days before returning to the Jagannath Temple, completing the annual pilgrimage.