The tragic stampede during Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra near Sri Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha, has cast a grim shadow over what is traditionally one of India’s most celebrated religious festivals. With at least three confirmed dead and over 50 injured, including six in critical condition, the incident has triggered strong reactions from political leaders, temple authorities, and the public.
The stampede occurred early Sunday morning (around 4–4:30 am), reportedly during the darshan when devotees surged toward the chariot stationed near Saradhabali, in front of the temple. The **victims—all from Khurda district—**were identified as:
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Prativa Das (52)
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Premakanta Mohanty (78)
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Basanti Sahu (42)
The immediate cause appears to be uncontrolled crowd pressure during a peak moment of ritual significance. Despite the presence of police and crowd control teams, the volume—estimated at over 10 lakh devotees—proved overwhelming.
The Odisha government has launched an investigation into the incident, with officials looking into potential lapses in crowd management and emergency preparedness. Earlier, on Saturday, ADG Sanjay Kumar had already flagged the expected surge of devotees between 10–12 lakh, raising questions about pre-event planning.
Political Fallout:
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BJD leader and former CM Naveen Patnaik issued a sharp rebuke of the current administration, labeling the incident a “glaring failure” and offering condolences while praying for the recovery of the injured.
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Leader of Opposition also slammed the government, calling it a “glaring incompetence” after “yesterday’s failed crowd management left hundreds injured.”
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The tragedy comes amid political flux, with the recent regime change in Odisha where the BJD was voted out after two decades in power.
Religious and Cultural Reaction:
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Senior Daitapati servitor Ramakrishna Das Mahapatra expressed sorrow, noting that this is the first such tragedy in the history of Rath Yatra in Puri and urging better administrative measures in the future.
Larger Implications:
This incident not only raises questions about event safety and public preparedness but also places increased scrutiny on the new state government's ability to manage large-scale religious events—a critical issue in Odisha, where Jagannath worship holds deep spiritual and political importance.
The Rath Yatra continues for several more days, and authorities now face urgent pressure to prevent further mishaps as the festival proceeds toward the Bahuda Yatra (return journey).
