On June 29, 2025, a tragic stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, claimed the lives of three devotees and injured over 50 others, casting a somber shadow over one of India’s most revered religious festivals.
The incident, attributed to inadequate crowd management and security lapses, prompted swift action from the Odisha government, including the suspension and transfer of senior officials.
This article explores the details of the stampede, the government’s response, public sentiment, and the broader implications for managing large-scale religious events in India, drawing on reports from local media and official statements.
The Tragic Stampede: What Happened?
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, an annual festival in Puri, attracts millions of devotees who gather to witness the ceremonial procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra on massive wooden chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
On June 29, 2025, the third day of the festival, a catastrophic stampede occurred near the Gundicha Temple at Saradhabali around 4:00–4:30 AM.
The incident was triggered by a sudden surge of devotees eager for darshan (a glimpse of the deities) after the chariots’ “pahuda” ritual reopened at 3:45 AM.
According to eyewitnesses, the chaos intensified when two trucks carrying “charamala” (sacred wood) entered the congested area, exacerbating the already overwhelming crowd pressure.
The narrow congregation site, combined with limited police presence and hazardous conditions like scattered palmlog ladders near the chariots, contributed to the tragedy.
Three devotees—Prabhati Das (52), Basanti Sahu (42), and Premakant Mohanty (78), all from Khurda district—lost their lives due to suffocation, while six of the 50 injured were reported to be in critical condition.
Table 1: Details of the Stampede
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date and Time | June 29, 2025, 4:00–4:30 AM |
| Location | Saradhabali, near Gundicha Temple, Puri |
| Casualties | 3 dead (Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, Premakant Mohanty) |
| Injured | Over 50, with 6 in critical condition |
| Cause | Crowd surge, entry of trucks carrying charamala, inadequate crowd control |
| Victims’ Origin | Khurda district, Odisha |
The stampede followed reports of logistical failures during the festival’s earlier days, with over 750 devotees hospitalized for exhaustion and heat-related issues on June 28, 2025, and delays in pulling the chariots due to overwhelming crowds.
Odisha Government’s Response
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, deeply shaken by the tragedy, issued a public apology on X, describing the incident as a result of “unforgivable negligence.”
He sought forgiveness from Lord Jagannath’s devotees and announced immediate measures to address the lapses. The government’s response included:
- Suspension of Officials: Puri Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Bishnu Charan Pati and Police Commandant Ajay Padhi were suspended for negligence of duty.
- Transfer of Senior Officials: Puri Superintendent of Police Vinit Agarwal and District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain were transferred to ensure accountability.
- Financial Assistance: An ex-gratia payment of ₹25 lakh was announced for the kin of each deceased devotee, with ₹4 lakh also reported as assistance in some sources.
- Investigation: An immediate probe was ordered, led by Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania, to investigate security and crowd management failures.
- Enhanced Security: Additional police forces were deployed to manage the crowd for the remainder of the festival, with assurances to prevent further incidents.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan acknowledged the negligence, stating, “This is a very unfortunate incident. We are taking stringent action.
The DGP has been sent to the spot.” He emphasized that the government was actively monitoring the situation to ensure better crowd management moving forward.
Table 2: Government Actions Post-Stampede
| Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Suspensions | Puri DCP Bishnu Charan Pati, Police Commandant Ajay Padhi |
| Transfers | Puri SP Vinit Agarwal, District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain |
| Financial Assistance | ₹25 lakh (or ₹4 lakh per some reports) for kin of deceased |
| Investigation | Led by Odisha DGP YB Khurania, focusing on security lapses |
| Crowd Management | Additional police deployed, enhanced monitoring for festival duration |
Public and Political Reactions
The stampede sparked widespread outrage and criticism, particularly from former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik, who labeled the incident a result of the state government’s “glaring incompetence.”
Patnaik noted that the tragedy followed “abysmal crowd management” on June 28, when hundreds were injured, and criticized the initial response, stating that aid came from devotees’ kin rather than government machinery.
He urged the administration to ensure smoother execution of remaining rituals like Adapa Bije, Bahuda, and Suna Besha.
Eyewitnesses and victims’ families echoed these sentiments. Swadhin Kumar Panda, a Puri resident, highlighted poor management, noting that unauthorized vehicles and a poorly designed exit gate exacerbated the crowd surge.
The husband of a deceased devotee lamented the lack of response from fire officials, rescue teams, or hospital staff, calling the incident “pathetic.”
In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government defended its actions, with Law Minister Harichandan pointing out past lapses under the BJD’s tenure and asserting that the chariots had historically reached the Gundicha Temple on the second day since 1977.
Table 3: Key Public and Political Statements
| Individual/Group | Statement |
|---|---|
| Mohan Charan Majhi | “Unforgivable negligence… We seek forgiveness from all Jagannath devotees.” |
| Naveen Patnaik | “Glaring incompetence… No government machinery to manage surging crowds.” |
| Prithviraj Harichandan | “Negligence admitted… Strict action will be taken against those responsible.” |
| Swadhin Kumar Panda | “Poor management, unauthorized vehicles, and bad exit gate design.” |
| Victim’s Husband | “No response from fire officials, rescue, or hospital teams.” |
Broader Context: Challenges in Crowd Management
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, a centuries-old tradition, draws lakhs of devotees annually, making crowd management a perennial challenge.
The 2025 stampede is not an isolated incident; a similar event in 2024 resulted in two deaths and 130 injuries, highlighting recurring issues with crowd control during the festival.
Reports from 2025 indicate that over 750 devotees were hospitalized for heat-related issues and exhaustion a day before the stampede, underscoring the strain on infrastructure and security arrangements.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the adequacy of preparations for large-scale religious gatherings in India. Eyewitnesses reported limited police presence, hazardous conditions like palmlog ladders, and unauthorized vehicles contributing to the chaos.
The Odisha government’s swift response, including suspensions and transfers, reflects an acknowledgment of these lapses, but it also underscores the need for systemic improvements in planning and execution.
Implications for Future Festivals
The stampede has cast a shadow over the Rath Yatra, which continues until July 1, 2025, with the deities’ return journey (Bahuda Yatra) to the Jagannath Temple.
The government’s commitment to enhanced crowd management and a thorough investigation aims to restore public faith. However, the incident highlights several areas for improvement:
- Crowd Control Infrastructure: Narrow congregation sites and inadequate exit points need redesigning to handle large crowds safely.
- Security Deployment: The limited police presence reported by eyewitnesses suggests a need for more robust deployment strategies.
- Emergency Response: The absence of immediate aid from fire, rescue, or hospital teams indicates gaps in emergency preparedness.
- Traffic Management: Unauthorized vehicles, such as the charamala trucks, must be strictly regulated to prevent interference with crowds.
Table 4: Recommendations for Future Events
| Area | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Crowd Control | Redesign narrow congregation sites, improve exit points |
| Security | Increase police presence, deploy drones for real-time monitoring |
| Emergency Response | Establish rapid-response teams with fire, rescue, and medical personnel |
| Traffic Management | Enforce strict vehicle restrictions, ban unauthorized entries |
Public Sentiment on X
Posts on X reflect widespread grief and frustration over the stampede. Users like @mehrozkhaninc called the negligence “inexcusable” and demanded accountability, while @PragativadiNews and @TheStatesmanLtd highlighted the government’s actions, including suspensions and financial assistance.
@BhaskarEnglish_ emphasized the lack of emergency response, quoting a victim’s husband who noted the absence of ambulances. These sentiments underscore the public’s demand for accountability and better management of religious festivals.
The tragic stampede during the Jagannath Rath Yatra on June 29, 2025, has exposed critical lapses in crowd management and security, prompting swift action from the Odisha government.
The suspension of two senior police officials, transfer of the Puri SP and DM, and announcement of financial reflect a commitment to accountability. However, the incident, which claimed three lives and injured over 50, underscores the need for systemic reforms in managing large-scale religious events.
As the Rath Yatra continues, the government’s focus on enhanced security and a thorough investigation offers hope for preventing future tragedies. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the challenges in balancing spiritual fervor with public safety, urging authorities to prioritize robust planning and execution for India’s cherished festivals.
