PURI, ODISHA – A tragic stampede occurred during the early hours of Sunday at the world-famous Rath Yatra festival in Puri, leaving three people dead and at least 50 injured, including six in critical condition.
The stampede took place around 4:00 to 4:30 AM near Sri Gundicha Temple at Saradhabali, a key site where devotees gather to see Lord Jagannath on his chariot. The crowd surged uncontrollably during darshan, causing people to fall and get trampled.
What Happened
Thousands had gathered before sunrise for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, who was seated on his grand chariot.
As more people kept arriving, the crowd near Saradhabali swelled dangerously.
The pressure from behind caused a massive push, and many devotees lost their balance.
In the confusion, some fell, and others trampled over them, creating a stampede-like situation.
Emergency services arrived quickly and rushed the injured to Puri District Hospital.
Victims Identified
The deceased include:
Prativa Das (52) – Resident of Khurda
Premakanta Mohanty (78) – Resident of Khurda
Basanti Sahu (42) – Resident of Khurda
Their bodies have been sent for postmortem examination.
Government Response and Compensation
The Odisha government announced ₹25 lakh compensation to each victim’s family.
CM Majhi said, “This incident is deeply saddening. We ask forgiveness from Lord Jagannath and his devotees.”
He called the tragedy a result of serious negligence and “unforgivable.”
A high-level investigation has been ordered to identify the lapses.
Major Administrative Action
In a swift response, the state government has:
Transferred Puri SP Vinit Agarwal
Transferred Puri DM Siddharth Shankar Swain
Appointed Pinak Mishra (ADG Crime) as new Puri SP
Appointed Chanchal Rana, Khurda Collector, as new Puri DM
Suspended DCP Bishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi
These changes were made to ensure accountability and improve crowd management during the remaining Rath Yatra days.
Political and Public Reactions
Former CM Naveen Patnaik slammed the government, saying, “This is a complete failure of crowd control.”
He accused the administration of incompetence and poor planning.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also reacted:
“I express my condolences. The government must speed up rescue and relief. Security planning for such festivals must be re-evaluated.”
He urged Congress workers to help those affected on the ground.
Temple Community Speaks
Senior Daitapati servitor Ramakrishna Das Mahapatra said:
“This is the first time such a tragedy has happened. The administration must ensure it never happens again.”
Massive Crowd Turnout
According to officials, over 10–12 lakh devotees were expected during this year’s Rath Yatra.
The Rath Yatra marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
The deities stay there for nine days before returning in the Bahuda Yatra.
The Rath Yatra is one of the largest religious gatherings in India.
Security Arrangements Under Review
ADG Sanjay Kumar had earlier stated that tight security and multi-layered barricading were in place.
However, ground-level mismanagement and a lack of crowd control staff may have contributed to the incident.
CCTV footage, mobile videos, and police communication logs are now being reviewed as part of the probe.
Looking Ahead
The government has promised “strict and exemplary action” against those found guilty of negligence. With thousands of devotees still in Puri for the remaining days of the festival, authorities are on high alert.
Additional personnel from ODRAF, NDRF, and state police have been deployed to prevent any further mishaps.
This tragic event has cast a dark shadow over one of India’s most sacred festivals. As investigations continue, families of the victims and devotees across the country demand answers—and accountability.
