Puri Rath Yatra: One killed, over 100 devotees faint amid stampede-like situation

NEW DELHI: One devotee died and more than 100 others fainted on Thursday after stampede-like rush during the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri, officials said.According to initial reports, the devotee collapsed after feeling suffocated in the crowd and was taken to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital, where he was declared dead. Emergency rescue teams and security personnel rushed to the spot, evacuating several people on stretchers and providing immediate medical assistance as the crowd swelled near the Singhadwara of the Jagannath Temple.The incident occurred as the world-famous Rath Yatra began with lakhs of devotees lining the Grand Road (Badadanda) to witness the deities being taken out in the traditional Pahandi procession.Following centuries-old rituals, Lord Sudarshan was brought out first, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath. After ceremonial rituals, including the Chhera Pahanra performed by Puri's Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, devotees began pulling the three chariots towards the Gundicha Temple at around 2 pm.Last year, the Jagannath Rath Yatra was marred by a deadly stampede near the Gundicha Temple in Puri. Three devotees were killed and more than 50 others were injured after chaos broke out between 4 am and 5 am as thousands of pilgrims had gathered for the rituals. The stampede was triggered when two ritual trucks entered an already congested area, leading to panic among devotees.Further details are awaited.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.