Puri Rath Yatra Halted Amid Overcrowding: 600+ Devotees Fall Ill, Chariots Struggle to Move
Puri, Odisha | June 28, 2025: The world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri experienced a chaotic start on Friday as over one million devotees converged on the temple town, leading to severe overcrowding and health-related emergencies. Despite extensive preparations, the turnout—1.5 times greater than usual—forced authorities to halt the chariot movement due to safety concerns.
On the first day of the Yatra, the grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra struggled to move. The chariots were unable to cover even 750 meters of the planned 2.6 km route to Gundicha Temple. Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot managed to move just one meter before it was stopped.
Later in the evening, further distress occurred when the chariot of Goddess Subhadra became surrounded by a dense crowd at Marichkot, resulting in medical emergencies. According to the administration, at least 625 devotees fell ill, primarily due to heat and suffocation. Many fainted on the spot, and 70 people were hospitalized, with nine in critical condition.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan explained that the delay began when Lord Balabhadra’s chariot got stuck at a turn. “As a result, Subhadra’s chariot also had to be stopped, and the Yatra was paused by 8 PM by sunset protocols,” he stated.
Despite the chaos, the Yatra is set to resume at 10 AM today, marking the second day of the festival. All three deities are scheduled to remain at Gundicha Temple for nine days before returning to the main temple on July 5.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as overwhelming, with the spiritual fervor being overshadowed by logistical challenges. Authorities are now focusing on crowd management and medical support to ensure smoother proceedings in the coming days.
Source: Bhaskar English