1 Devotee Dies Amid Stampede-Like Situation During Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra In Puri

Puri: A stampede-like situation was reported during Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha's seaside pilgrim town of Puri on Sunday leading to the death of one devotee and causing injuries to several others, who were part of the religious event. The incident reportedly took place on Bara Danda, the Grand Road of Puri, where the grand procession was underway. According to the sources, among all the injured persons, one was critically injured during the chariot-pulling process and was taken to hospital, the victim succumbed. It is said that the heat and suffocation caused a minor stampede-like situation during the yatra, which led to the incident. 

As per the eyewitnesses, one individual was critically injured in the mishap during the chariot pulling, while several others also sustained injuries. The accident happened during the pulling of Lord Balabhadra's chariot, which traditionally leads the procession. Due to extreme heat and overcrowding, several people started feeling suffocated, which created a chaotic situation during the event, a local source stated. 

Following the incident, district administration swiftly mobilised emergency services and transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The Rath Yatra, a major event in Odisha, draws thousands of devotees who gather to witness the magnificent chariots and participate in pulling them.

Thousands of people pulled forward giant chariots from the 12th century Jagannath temple in Puri towards Gundicha temple, around 2.5 km away.

The chariot pulling started around 5.20 pm after Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanada Saraswati visited the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra with his disciples and the Puri's titular king completed the 'Chhera Pahanra' (chariot sweeping) ritual.
 

(This is a developing story)