Tragedy at Rath Yatra 2025: Stampede in Puri Leaves Three Dead, Sparks Safety Concerns

Puri, Odisha | June 29, 2025 — What began as a spiritually charged and vibrant celebration of Odisha’s iconic Rath Yatra turned into a harrowing scene of chaos and grief on Sunday. A sudden crowd surge during the chariot pulling procession near the Gundicha Temple in Puri resulted in a tragic stampede that claimed three lives and left more than a dozen pilgrims injured.

The stampede occurred in the early afternoon, just as thousands of devotees had gathered to pull the towering chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra along the Grand Road. Witnesses describe a moment of devotional euphoria turning abruptly into panic as parts of the crowd surged forward uncontrollably, causing people—especially the elderly and children—to stumble and be trampled.

A Festival Marred by Grief

The Rath Yatra, celebrated annually in the coastal city of Puri, attracts millions of devotees from across India and abroad. This year was no exception, with crowds swelling early Sunday morning, despite forecasts of heat and scattered showers. The traditional pulling of the chariots, symbolic of Lord Jagannath’s journey to his maternal aunt’s home, is often seen as a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience by many devotees.

According to local authorities, the stampede occurred around 1:45 PM near a heavily congested stretch of Bada Danda (Grand Road), where crowd control barriers failed to withstand the overwhelming pressure from devotees. Police officials attempted to cordon off the area, but the sheer volume of pilgrims made rapid intervention difficult.

Eyewitnesses recall desperate cries for help, unconscious individuals being passed overhead, and a scramble by volunteers to evacuate those injured. "It was supposed to be a moment of divine joy. Instead, we were suddenly caught in a terrifying push from behind," said Manoj Das, a 47-year-old pilgrim from Cuttack.

Emergency Response and Investigation

The Odisha Police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed immediately to manage the situation and clear the area. Ambulances struggled to reach the epicenter due to the dense crowd, but authorities were eventually able to transport the critically injured to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital.

By evening, the Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena confirmed the death toll and assured that a high-level inquiry had been initiated. “This was an unfortunate incident. We deeply regret the loss of life and promise swift accountability,” he stated.

Local administration has now suspended all further chariot-pulling activities for the day and restricted entry into the core area for non-residents. Mobile video footage and CCTV surveillance will be reviewed to assess how the crowd breach occurred and whether there were lapses in planning.

Questions on Crowd Management

The tragedy has reignited a broader debate on crowd management practices during India’s large-scale religious festivals. Despite detailed safety guidelines issued each year, the sheer scale of participation often overwhelms resources. According to official estimates, over 1.5 million people had gathered in Puri for this year’s Yatra—a number significantly higher than initial projections.

Security forces, including over 10,000 police personnel and dozens of rapid action teams, were deployed, but insiders have now pointed to insufficient barricading, poor communication, and lack of staggered entry zones as critical failings.

“This is not the first time Puri has witnessed a crowd mishap,” said Professor Anil Rath, a public policy expert based in Bhubaneswar. “The event’s spiritual significance cannot be underestimated, but neither can the state’s duty to ensure safety. We need technology-led solutions, real-time monitoring, and proper crowd modeling before next year.”

Voices of the Bereaved

As dusk fell over Puri, relatives of the deceased gathered near the hospital, many still in disbelief. Among the victims was Lakshmi Behera, a 68-year-old woman from Berhampur who had been attending the Yatra every year since childhood.

“She waited all year to see the Lord,” her son whispered, holding her photograph, “She did not deserve this end.”

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. He also emphasized the need for stricter protocol and the use of AI-driven crowd control systems in future religious gatherings.

Moving Forward with Reverence and Responsibility

While devotees mourn the loss of life, faith remains unshaken. The Rath Yatra is expected to continue in a scaled-down manner over the next few days, with major restrictions on foot traffic and increased surveillance.

The tragedy in Puri is a stark reminder that devotion must go hand-in-hand with planning, and that spiritual fervor cannot come at the cost of human lives. As India continues to host some of the world’s largest pilgrimages, it becomes imperative to blend tradition with modern safety mechanisms.

Only then can sacred festivals like Rath Yatra truly remain a celebration of life, devotion, and community.