A deadly stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, claimed three lives and injured approximately 50 people on June 29, 2025. The incident occurred near the Shree Gundicha Temple around 4:20 a.m. as thousands of devotees gathered to witness the sacred chariots carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.
The deceased were identified as Premakanta Mohanty, 80, Basanti Sahu, 36, and Prabhati Das, 42, all from Khurda district. Officials at the Puri District Headquarters Hospital confirmed the fatalities, with bodies sent for postmortem examination. Among the injured, six remain in critical condition, with one transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment.
The stampede began when two trucks carrying ritual materials unexpectedly entered the crowded area near the chariots, according to officials. Thousands of devotees had assembled since early morning hours to witness the removal of cloth coverings from the deities’ faces as part of traditional ceremonies. The sudden vehicle entry into the congested space triggered panic, causing devotees to fall and creating a crushing situation that lasted approximately 20 minutes.
Eyewitnesses described inadequate crowd control measures and poor administrative arrangements. Dillip Sahoo, whose wife Basanti died in the incident, reported finding no police personnel at the scene despite the growing chaos. Another victim’s husband indicated that proper ambulance access could have saved lives, noting the absence of emergency responders and volunteers during the critical moments.
Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain acknowledged that while security arrangements were in place, the crowd unexpectedly spiraled out of control. Local media reports suggested that police crowd control arrangements at the location were insufficient for the massive gathering. Witnesses also cited problems with VIP arrangements that obstructed designated pathways for regular devotees.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a public apology to Lord Jagannath devotees, taking responsibility for the tragedy. Majhi declared that “this negligence is unpardonable” while announcing immediate administrative action. The Chief Minister announced financial assistance of 25 lakh rupees for each victim’s family and promised exemplary action against those responsible for security lapses.
Immediate administrative consequences followed the tragedy. The state government suspended Puri Deputy Commissioner of Police Bishnu Charan Pati and Police Commandant Ajay Padhi for dereliction of duty. Additionally, District Collector Siddharth S. Swain and Superintendent of Police Binit Agarwal were transferred from their positions. Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania was dispatched to the scene to assess the situation.
The Odisha government launched a comprehensive investigation led by Development Commissioner Anu Garg. State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan confirmed the probe and assured stringent action against those found guilty of negligence. The minister emphasized that the situation had been brought under control and devotees were continuing their prayers at the temple.
Political criticism emerged swiftly following the incident. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described the stampede as evidence of the current government’s incompetence in ensuring peaceful festival arrangements. Patnaik noted that the tragedy occurred just one day after reports of 500 devotees being injured during the festival, suggesting systemic failures in crowd management.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep concern over the stampede, calling the negligence and mismanagement inexcusable. Party leader Rahul Gandhi emphasized the need for proper security arrangements and crowd control preparations for large religious gatherings, describing the incident as a stark warning for future events.
The stampede marked the first fatal incident near the Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra in recent memory. The temple, located approximately three kilometers from the main Jagannath Temple, serves as a traditional destination where the deities stay for one week before returning to their permanent shrine.
Following the tragedy, authorities implemented enhanced security measures for the remaining festival rituals. Barricades were erected in front of the Shree Gundicha Temple, and organized queues were established for smooth darshan of the deities. Additional police deployment was arranged under the supervision of ADG-rank IPS officer Soumendra Priyadarshi, who was specifically assigned to oversee security arrangements by the Chief Minister.
The annual Rath Yatra festival attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees from across India and internationally. The massive chariots are traditionally pulled by devotees through the streets of Puri to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities remain for religious ceremonies before their return journey. This year’s festival proceeded with heightened security measures following the deadly stampede.
