3 dead, over 50 injured in Rath Yatra stampede outside Puri's Gundicha Temple

What began as a sacred celebration turned into a tragic morning outside Puri’s Gundicha Temple, as a stampede-like incident during the Jagannath Rath Yatra claimed at least three lives and left over 50 people injured in the early hours of June 29.

The incident unfolded between 4:00 and 4:20 am near Saradhabali, the sacred stretch where the massive chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra had arrived a day earlier. Witnesses say panic ensued when a vehicle carrying ritual items unexpectedly entered the dense sea of devotees, triggering a wave of chaos and confusion in the absence of visible crowd control measures.

Thousands of pilgrims, many having camped overnight to witness the celestial journey of the deities, were caught off-guard as the situation spiraled. Hospital authorities confirmed that while several injured devotees were treated and discharged, many remain in critical condition.

Officials have yet to release the names of the deceased, but confirmed that women were among the victims. Eyewitnesses criticized the lack of police presence, claiming no senior officials or emergency response teams were on-site at the time.

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said he had apprised Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of the situation and assured that a full-scale probe would be launched. “Strict action will be taken against those responsible for any lapse,” he said.

The annual Rath Yatra, which draws lakhs of pilgrims from across the country, marks the symbolic journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The ceremonial procession to Gundicha was scheduled for Sunday evening.

As the holy festival continues, the tragedy has cast a shadow over what is traditionally a joyous occasion, raising urgent questions about pilgrimage safety, crowd regulation, and the preparedness of authorities during high-density religious events.