Over 500 people were injured during this year’s Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, after a huge crowd surge happened while pulling the Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra. The situation got out of control as thousands of devotees rushed in to take part in the traditional chariot procession, which is a major part of the centuries-old event.
The Rath Yatra, held every year in this coastal town, marks the symbolic journey of Lord Jagannath along with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. They are taken from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, about 2.5 kilometers away, and stay there for a week before being brought back in another big procession.
Things turned chaotic when many devotees pushed forward to grab the chariot ropes. The sudden overcrowding caused a stampede-like situation, leaving hundreds injured. Most had minor injuries, but some had to be hospitalized, and at least eight people are in serious condition.
To manage the massive crowd, around 10,000 security personnel were deployed, including eight CAPF units. Still, despite the heavy police presence and crowd control efforts, the sheer number of participants made it difficult to avoid the incident.
