Odisha Government Rules Out Stampede in Two Deaths During Puri Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar, 17 July : The Odisha government has clarified that the deaths of two devotees during the 2026 Puri Rath Yatra were not caused by a stampede or any lapse in crowd management. Issuing an official statement after the completion of the globally renowned festival, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said the event concluded peacefully despite persistent rainfall and challenging weather conditions that tested the administration’s preparedness throughout the celebrations.

The government stated that the annual chariot festival witnessed an overwhelming turnout, with an estimated eight to nine lakh devotees arriving from different parts of Odisha, across India, and several foreign countries to participate in the sacred procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan Chakra. Authorities described the festival as one of the largest religious gatherings in the country, successfully managed through meticulous planning and coordinated execution.

Officials noted that every major religious ritual connected with the Rath Yatra was completed according to the prescribed schedule. The ceremonial pulling of the three magnificent chariots proceeded without interruption despite intermittent rain, reflecting effective coordination between temple authorities, sebayats, volunteers and government agencies.

The Chief Minister’s Office also highlighted the participation of Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Gobardhan Peeth, who visited the chariots and offered prayers to the deities during the festival. His presence added spiritual significance to the event, which drew lakhs of devotees seeking blessings from Lord Jagannath.

To ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims, the state government had deployed an extensive administrative machinery well before the commencement of the festival. Multiple departments worked together under a unified command structure, including the Odisha Police, Health Department, Fire Services, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Transport Department, Municipal Administration, Public Health Engineering, Energy Department and other civic agencies.

According to the official release, security arrangements remained active round the clock throughout the festival. Authorities installed a comprehensive CCTV surveillance network to monitor crowd movement, while public announcement systems continuously guided pilgrims regarding routes, safety instructions and emergency assistance. Dedicated traffic management plans ensured smoother movement of vehicles in and around Puri despite the unusually large influx of visitors.

The administration also focused on providing essential public services. Temporary drinking water stations, sanitation facilities, emergency medical camps and healthcare units were established at strategic locations to assist devotees. Medical personnel remained on standby throughout the celebrations, enabling quick response to health emergencies caused by fatigue, age-related complications and adverse weather.

Addressing speculation surrounding the reported fatalities, the government clarified that seven devotees who experienced health complications during the festival were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

According to the official statement, one elderly male devotee aged above 60 years passed away after being admitted for medical care. Authorities stated that the precise cause of death would be determined following medical examination and necessary procedures.

In another unrelated incident, a separate devotee reportedly died after suffering a cardiac arrest. Officials reiterated that neither death resulted from overcrowding, panic or any stampede-like situation during the Rath Yatra.

The government further explained that several devotees experienced health issues due to prolonged exposure to continuous rainfall and humid weather conditions. These individuals received prompt medical attention at designated hospitals and were discharged after treatment, indicating that emergency healthcare services functioned efficiently throughout the festival period.

The Chief Minister’s Office emphasized that the Gundicha Yatra, one of the most significant phases of the Rath Yatra celebrations, concluded peacefully without any major law and order problem or crowd-control incident. Officials maintained that the movement of devotees remained orderly because of coordinated efforts by security agencies, administrative officials, temple servitors and thousands of volunteers deployed across the pilgrimage town.

Authorities credited the successful management of the festival to months of advance planning and inter-departmental coordination. Special emphasis had been placed on emergency preparedness considering the possibility of heavy rainfall during the festival season. Disaster response teams remained stationed at key locations to respond swiftly to any unforeseen incident.

Officials also acknowledged the contribution of volunteers and sebayats who assisted pilgrims by providing directions, facilitating movement near the chariots and helping elderly devotees navigate crowded areas. Their cooperation, combined with continuous monitoring by law enforcement agencies, played a significant role in maintaining order throughout the celebrations.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed gratitude to temple servitors, government officials, emergency responders and volunteers for ensuring the smooth conduct of one of India’s largest religious festivals. He also thanked devotees for maintaining patience, discipline and cooperation despite the challenging weather conditions.

The Chief Minister reaffirmed the state’s commitment to improving infrastructure and public services for future editions of the Rath Yatra. He said the administration had fulfilled its responsibility by ensuring continuous administrative support, safety measures and essential facilities for millions of pilgrims visiting the holy city.

With the successful completion of the 2026 Rath Yatra, the Odisha government reiterated that the festival remained peaceful from start to finish and dismissed reports suggesting that the two fatalities were linked to any stampede or crowd management failure. Officials maintained that the coordinated efforts of multiple departments ensured a safe and spiritually enriching experience for devotees participating in the sacred celebration.