Over 500 devotees were injured during the famous Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, on Friday, June 27, 2025. The incident happened when a huge crowd gathered to pull the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, called the Taladhwaja Chariot.
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As people rushed forward to grab the ropes and pull the chariot, a stampede-like situation occurred. Many devotees were pushed and trampled in the rush. According to reports, at least eight people are in critical condition, and many others have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Rath Yatra is a grand annual festival celebrated in Puri. It marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Goddess Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, about 2.5 kilometers away.
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Every year, lakhs of devotees come to Puri to witness and take part in this sacred event. Unfortunately, this year, the large crowd led to chaos and injuries during the pulling of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot.
