Rath Yatra 2025: Over 500 Devotees Injured in Puri Due to Crowd Surge

More than 500 devotees were injured during the annual Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri after an overwhelming crowd surge occurred while pulling the Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra. The incident unfolded as thousands of pilgrims rushed to participate in the ceremonial chariot procession, a key ritual in the centuries-old tradition, according to News18.

Held annually in the coastal pilgrim town, the Rath Yatra celebrates the symbolic journey of Lord Jagannath, accompanied by his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, approximately 2.5 km away. The deities reside there for a week before returning in a similar grand procession.

Chaos broke out when eager devotees surged forward to grab the ropes of the Taladhwaja chariot. The sudden overcrowding led to a stampede-like situation, resulting in injuries to hundreds. While most of the injured sustained minor wounds, several were hospitalized, and at least eight devotees are reported to be in critical condition.

To manage the huge turnout, authorities had deployed nearly 10,000 personnel across Puri, including eight companies from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Despite heavy security and crowd control arrangements, the sheer number of participants made it challenging to prevent the incident.