The annual Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, witnessed a tragic stampede near the Gundicha Temple on Sunday, June 29, 2025, claiming the lives of three devotees and injuring over 50. The incident occurred around 4:00 to 4:30 AM, as a massive crowd gathered for darshan of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, on their chariots.
According to officials, the stampede was triggered by a sudden surge in the crowd as devotees eagerly awaited the "pahada bhanga" ritual, the unveiling of the deities on the chariots. Eyewitnesses reported that the situation was exacerbated by the entry of two trucks carrying ritual materials into the already packed area near the chariots. The narrow space, combined with a limited police presence and scattered palm log ladders, created hazardous conditions for the devotees. Some eyewitnesses also pointed to a new entrance created for VIPs and the closure of gates after midnight as contributing factors to the chaos.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, families of the deceased have expressed their grief and frustration. One man lamented that "no one responded" to help his wife during the stampede.
The Odisha government has initiated a high-level inquiry into the incident, led by Development Commissioner Anu Garg. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken responsibility for the "unforgivable negligence" and promised strict action against those found responsible. As part of the immediate response, the government has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of each of the deceased.
Several administrative actions have also been taken. The Puri District Collector, Siddharth Shankar Swain, and Superintendent of Police, Vinit Agrawal, have been transferred. Chanchal Rana has been appointed as the new District Collector, and Pinak Mishra has taken over as the new SP. Additionally, DSP Bishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi have been suspended for dereliction of duty.
Political reactions to the tragedy have been sharp. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik criticized the state government's "glaring incompetence" in managing the crowd and ensuring a peaceful festival. The Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly echoed these concerns.
The incident has cast a shadow over the Rath Yatra, a festival of immense cultural and religious significance. Senior Daitapati servitor of the Puri Jagannath Temple, Ramakrishna Das Mahapatra, expressed sadness and urged the administration to make better arrangements to avoid future inconvenience to devotees.
The state government has assured the public that it is committed to preventing such incidents from recurring. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that a thorough probe would be conducted, and strict action would be taken against those responsible. Additional police forces have been deployed to manage the crowd, and efforts are underway to improve crowd control measures.
