A stampede at the Jagannath Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, India, resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to approximately 50 others on June 29, 2025. The incident occurred near the Shree Gundicha Temple around 4:20 a.m. as a large crowd gathered to witness the chariots carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.
The victims were identified as Premakanta Mohanty, 80, Basanti Sahu, 36, and Pravati Das, 42, all from Khurda district. (Ages differ in various media accounts.) The Puri District Headquarters Hospital verified the fatalities, and the bodies were sent for postmortem examinations. Six of the injured individuals remain in serious condition, with one person transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for further treatment.
The stampede was triggered when two trucks carrying ritual items unexpectedly entered the crowded area near the chariots, as reported by officials. Thousands had gathered from the early hours to witness the ceremonial unveiling of the deities’ faces. The sudden entry of vehicles into the densely packed space prompted panic, causing people to fall and resulting in chaos for approximately 20 minutes.
Eyewitnesses noted insufficient crowd control measures and poor administrative arrangements. Dillip Sahu, whose wife, Basanti, perished in the incident, mentioned the absence of police officers at the scene despite the escalating chaos. Another victim’s husband suggested that proper ambulance access could have prevented some deaths, pointing out the lack of emergency responders and volunteers during the crucial moments.
Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain admitted that although security measures were in place, the crowd became unmanageable. Local reports indicated that police crowd control arrangements were inadequate for the large gathering. Witnesses also mentioned issues with VIP arrangements, which obstructed paths designated for regular attendees.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued an apology to Lord Jagannath devotees, assuming responsibility for the incident. Majhi stated, “This negligence is unpardonable,” and announced immediate administrative action. Financial compensation of 25 lakh rupees ($29,172) was declared for each victim’s family, along with a promise of strict measures against those accountable for the security shortcomings.
In response to the incident, the state government suspended Puri Deputy Commissioner of Police Bishnu Charan Pati and Police Commandant Ajay Padhi for neglect of duty. District Collector Siddharth S. Swain and Superintendent of Police Binit Agarwal were also reassigned. The Director General of Police, Y.B. Khurania, was sent to the scene to assess the situation.
The Odisha government initiated a thorough investigation led by Development Commissioner Anu Garg. State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan confirmed the inquiry and assured decisive action against those found guilty of negligence. The minister emphasized that the situation had been stabilized, and devotees were continuing their worship at the temple.
Political criticism arose rapidly following the incident. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik criticized the stampede as a demonstration of the current administration’s failure to ensure safe arrangements for festivals. Patnaik highlighted that the tragedy happened just one day after reports of over 500 devotees being injured during the festival, suggesting systemic issues in managing crowds.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed significant concern over the stampede, calling the negligence and mismanagement unacceptable. Party leader Rahul Gandhi emphasized the importance of implementing proper security measures and crowd control plans for significant religious events, describing the incident as a clear warning for future gatherings.
This stampede was the first fatal incident near the Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra in recent memory. The temple, situated approximately two miles from the main Jagannath Temple, serves as a temporary resting place for the deities, who stay there for a week before returning to their permanent shrine.
Following the incident, officials implemented enhanced security measures for the remainder of the festival. Barricades were set up in front of the Shree Gundicha Temple, and organized lines were established for orderly darshan of the deities. An additional police presence was arranged under the supervision of an ADG-rank IPS officer, Soumendra Priyadarshi, who was specifically assigned by the Chief Minister to oversee security arrangements.
The annual Rath Yatra festival attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees from India and around the world. Traditionally, devotees pull massive chariots through the streets of Puri to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities partake in religious ceremonies before returning to their permanent residence. This year’s festival continued with heightened security following the fatal stampede.
