Rath Yatra in Puri: Devotee Dies, Several Injured in Stampede-Like Situation During Procession

A tragic incident marred the festivities of the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, on Sunday, as a devotee lost his life due to suffocation and several others were injured in a stampede-like situation during the chariot-pulling ceremony. The incident occurred on Bara Danda, the Grand Road of Puri, where the grand procession was underway.

According to eyewitnesses, the mishap took place during the pulling of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, which traditionally leads the procession. The chariot-pulling process 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.

The chariot-pulling ceremony, which is a crucial part of the Rath Yatra, saw thousands of people pulling the nearly 45-feet tall wooden chariot of Lord Balabhadra, followed by the chariots of Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan symbolically started the exercise by pulling the ropes connecting the principal Jagannath chariot.

Earlier in the day, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra ascended their respective chariots after completing the three-hour-long ‘Pahandi’ ritual at 2:15 pm. The Rath Yatra, which is a two-day event, will continue on Monday, with the chariot-pulling ceremony expected to be more extensive.

After the incident, the district administration swiftly mobilized emergency services and transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. Odisha Minister Krushna Chandra Patra assured that the Rath Yatra would be organized for two days, July 7 and 8, with the chariot-pulling ceremony taking place for the entire day on Monday.

The incident has cast a shadow over the festivities, which drew thousands of devotees to Puri. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also had a ‘darshan’ of the sibling deities. The wooden horses were fitted to the chariots, and President Murmu performed a ‘parikrama’ of the three chariots and bowed before the deities after the Chhera Pahanra ritual.

Historical Context:

The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in Puri, Odisha, India. It is a two-day event that takes place every year in the month of July or August, depending on the lunar calendar. The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, the three main deities of the Puri Jagannath Temple. The Rath Yatra is a reenactment of the journey of the deities from the temple to the Gundicha Temple, which is located about 5 kilometers away. The festival is a symbol of the eternal bond between the deities and their devotees.

The festival has a rich history dating back to the 12th century, when it was first celebrated by King Anangabhima Dev III of the Ganga dynasty. Over the centuries, the festival has evolved, and today it is one of the most popular and revered festivals in India, attracting millions of devotees from all over the world.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• A devotee died due to suffocation and several others were injured in a stampede-like situation during the chariot-pulling ceremony of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot during the Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha. • The incident occurred on Bara Danda, the Grand Road of Puri, where the grand procession was underway. • The chariot-pulling ceremony is a crucial part of the Rath Yatra, and thousands of people participate in pulling the nearly 45-feet tall wooden chariot of Lord Balabhadra. • The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan symbolically started the exercise by pulling the ropes connecting the principal Jagannath chariot. • The Rath Yatra will continue on Monday, with the chariot-pulling ceremony expected to be more extensive. • The district administration swiftly mobilized emergency services and transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. • Odisha Minister Krushna Chandra Patra assured that the Rath Yatra would be organized for two days, July 7 and 8, with the chariot-pulling ceremony taking place for the entire day on Monday. • The incident has cast a shadow over the festivities, which drew thousands of devotees to Puri. • Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also had a ‘darshan’ of the sibling deities. • The wooden horses were fitted to the chariots, and President Murmu performed a ‘parikrama’ of the three chariots and bowed before the deities after the Chhera Pahanra ritual.