People Suffocate & Faint at Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri, Rushed to Hospital
The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of India’s most revered and iconic festivals, was marred by a sudden and unexpected incident in Odisha’s Puri on July 13. Scores of devotees, who had gathered to take part in the procession, reportedly felt suffocated and fell unconscious due to high humidity. The incident sparked a sense of panic among the devotees, with many rushing to help those in distress. In the aftermath, several people were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
According to reports, the incident occurred when the Rath Yatra, a grand procession featuring the deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, was making its way through the crowded streets of Puri. The weather conditions, with high humidity and temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius, seemed to have taken a toll on the devotees. Many began to feel disoriented, dizzy, and short of breath, ultimately losing consciousness.
The state Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mukesh Mahaling, confirmed the incident, stating that “due to high humidity, one or two devotees collapsed. The rescue teams took them to the hospital immediately.” Mahaling’s statement was corroborated by a video that went viral on social media, showing ambulances racing to the scene as devotees made way for them to cross.
The Rath Yatra, which is a three-day festival, is a significant event in the Hindu calendar, attracting millions of devotees from across the world. The festival is a celebration of the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the nearby Gundicha Temple.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of devotees attending the festival. While the authorities have assured that the situation was brought under control, many are calling for greater measures to be taken to ensure the comfort and safety of devotees, particularly during extreme weather conditions.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a highly anticipated event, with devotees preparing for months in advance. The festival is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Odisha, and the region’s ability to come together and celebrate the divine.
In recent years, the Rath Yatra has become a major tourist attraction, with many foreign visitors flocking to Puri to experience the grandeur and spectacle of the festival. However, the event has also been marred by issues of crowd control, sanitation, and infrastructure, leading to concerns about the ability of the authorities to manage the large numbers of devotees.
Despite these challenges, the Jagannath Rath Yatra remains one of the most iconic and revered festivals in India, attracting devotees from across the country and beyond. As the festival continues to unfold, many are hoping that the authorities will take steps to address the concerns raised by the recent incident and ensure that the devotees are able to participate in the festival safely and comfortably.
