Puri, Odisha – June 29, 2025
What was supposed to be a day of deep devotion and celebration for thousands of devotees at the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri this year turned into a nightmare. In a tragic incident that shocked the entire nation, three devotees lost their lives and dozens were injured after a stampede-like situation developed on the Grand Road near the Gundicha Temple.
🛕 A holy journey turns deadly
The Rath Yatra is one of India’s most famous religious festivals, with lakhs of people from across the country flocking to witness the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. However, as the crowds thronged the narrow lanes and the hot, humid weather pushed the temperature to above 40 degrees Celsius, panic and chaos ensued.
According to eyewitnesses, the crowd was so dense that people were unable to move freely. “We were stuck shoulder to shoulder, gasping for breath. Then someone fell, and that triggered a wave of panic,” said a devotee.
🚨 What went wrong?
The tragedy was not caused by a single mistake – it was a combination of several failures coming together:
Traffic was poorly managed. Many roads were blocked by parked vehicles, leaving no room for emergency movement or crowd dispersal.
There were not enough barriers or direction signs, causing people to gather dangerously close to the moving chariots.
Emergency services could not arrive in time, as lanes were jammed and coordination was not proper.
Extreme heat and exhaustion also played a big role, as hundreds of people complained of dehydration and dizziness.
Those who lost their lives were reportedly crushed or suffocated in the chaos, while others fainted or had difficulty breathing. Many were rushed to hospital, where they are still being treated.
🧍♂️ Voices from the ground
Many devotees and locals have expressed their anger and grief. “Every year we come here with a lot of faith. But this time there was no arrangement, no help. We shouted for water and space, but nobody came,” said a woman from West Bengal. Volunteers tried to help, but the sheer number of the crowd thwarted all efforts. The situation was worsened by the lack of shady resting areas, drinking water spaces and proper guidance to the crowd.
🏛️ What is the government saying?
Authorities have confirmed the deaths and injuries and announced compensation for the affected families. Some senior police and administrative officials have been suspended, and an official investigation has been launched. The state government has promised to review crowd control measures and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. But for the bereaved families, no announcement can fill the void left by their loved ones.
🌞 A celebration demands better planning Rath Yatra is not just a religious tradition – it is a deeply emotional experience for millions. But with increasing crowds and changing weather patterns, better planning, better crowd management and medical support on the ground are no longer optional – they are essential.
This year’s tragedy is a warning. The purpose of festivals should be devotion and joy – not fear and death.
