More than 500 devotees were injured during the annual Rath Yatra festival in Odisha’s Puri, after massive crowds surged forward to pull the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, Kalinga TV reported. The incident reportedly occurred during the ceremonial pulling of the Taladhwaja chariot, one of the three grand chariots drawn as part of the centuries-old tradition.

Responding to reports of devotees fainting during the Jagannath Rath Yatra, Odisha Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the incidents were likely due to high humidity. “One or two devotees collapsed due to the weather conditions, but rescue teams responded quickly and took them to the hospital," he said.

Mukesh Mahaling added that primary health care centres have been set up near the temple and assured that arrangements for water and glucose are in place. “I’m also here to personally ensure that adequate medical support is available and will visit the hospital to check on those needing care," he said.

The festival, which draws lakhs of devotees to the coastal pilgrim town, marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, about 2.5 kilometers away. The deities reside at the Gundicha Temple for a week before returning in a similar procession.

To manage the immense crowd and ensure security, nearly 10,000 personnel were deployed across the city, including eight companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

Source: News18