VIDEO | Puri: Several devotees feel unwell as crowd surges during Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at Badadanda during Rath Yatra.
Earlier in the day, lakhs of devotees braved incessant rain to throng the 3 km-long Badadanda, connecting the Shree Jagannath Temple with the Gundicha Temple.
The idols of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra were ceremonially brought out of the sanctum by sevayats (traditional priests) after the completion of elaborate rituals.
In the afternoon, the three chariots, Taladhwaj (Lord Balabhadra), Nandighosh (Lord Jagannath), and Darpadalan (Devi Subhadra) began rolling amid devotional fervour.
Two persons died and several others were injured after a crowd surge on Badadanda, the wide road in front of the 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, during the pulling of chariots on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra on Thursday (July 16, 2026).
The stampede-like situation occurred near the Marichikote Chowk when devotees were pushed aside to make way for an ambulance moving through the crowd. Amid the massive rush, several people fell over one another, leading to injuries. The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, many with fractures in their hands and legs.
VIDEO | Puri: Several devotees feel unwell as crowd surges during Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026. Visuals from Puri district headquarter hospital (DHH).
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/btPpHES5eK — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 16, 2026
wo persons were declared dead at the hospital. One of the deceased was identified as Anil Dash (35), while the identity of the other is yet to be ascertained.
Around a hundred devotees were admitted for treatment, sources in the hospital said. While most were declared out of danger, the condition of two of them remained critical.
The Special Rescue Unit (SRU) of the Odisha Fire & Emergency Services has safely rescued 33 devotees from heavy crowd congestion since this morning.
The rescued devotees were immediately provided with first aid and oxygen support before being shifted to nearby hospitals for… pic.twitter.com/ulSFYKcjl7 — Odisha Police (@odisha_police) July 16, 2026
“The overall conduct of the festival remained peaceful, orderly and well managed. There was no incident of stampede or any systemic breakdown of crowd management,” the Chief Minister’s Office said, while confirming the deaths of two persons.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at Badadanda during Rath Yatra. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls and for the swift recovery of the injured,” former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.
“In this hour of grief, all Biju Janata Dal workers will extend full cooperation to assist those affected. I hope the State government ensures better crowd management for the safety and convenience of devotees,” Mr. Patnaik added in a post on social media platform X.
Earlier in the day, lakhs of devotees braved incessant rain to throng the 3 km-long Badadanda, connecting the Shree Jagannath Temple with the Gundicha Temple.
The idols of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra were ceremonially brought out of the sanctum by sevayats (traditional priests) after the completion of elaborate rituals. Devotees chanted “Haribol” and blew conch shells as the deities appeared outside the temple.
In the afternoon, the three chariots, Taladhwaj (Lord Balabhadra), Nandighosh (Lord Jagannath), and Darpadalan (Devi Subhadra) began rolling amid devotional fervour. Devotees jostled for vantage points to catch a glimpse of the deities.
Puri’s titular king, Divyasingha Deb, performed the customary ‘Chhera Pahanra’ ritual, sweeping the chariots as the foremost servitor. Puri Shankaracharya Jagadguru Nischalananda Saraswati also offered prayers to the deities on the chariots.
However, the chariots could not reach the Gundicha Temple and were halted midway. The pulling of the chariots is scheduled to resume on Friday (July 17, 2026).
