During the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri, a tragic incident occurred where one devotee died due to suffocation while pulling Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot. Despite being rushed to the hospital, the individual was declared brought dead, as confirmed by the Chief Minister’s Office. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi promptly announced an ex-gratia of Rs four lakh for the deceased’s next of kin and ensured free treatment for those injured during the chariot pulling.
The Rath Yatra festivities commenced on Sunday, with crowds pulling the massive chariots from the ancient Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple, covering a distance of approximately 2.5 km. According to PTI, besides the fatality, eight devotees also fell ill during the procession. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling monitored the situation closely, noting additional injuries, including those sustained during a stampede-like situation involving Lord Balabhadra’s chariot.
The Yatra officially started after rituals conducted by Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanada Saraswati and the Puri’s titular king’s ceremonial chariot sweeping. President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to the deities by performing a ‘parikrama’ around the three chariots and offering her respects.