People Suffocate & Faint at Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri, Rushed to Hospital
The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the most revered Hindu festivals, took a dramatic turn in Odisha’s Puri on Sunday as several devotees reported feeling suffocated and fainted due to high humidity. The incident occurred during the procession of the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, when the air became thick with humidity, causing discomfort to many spectators.
As reported by state Minister Mukesh Mahaling, “Due to high humidity, one or two devotees collapsed. The rescue teams took them to the hospital immediately.” The incident was captured on camera, showing ambulances racing to the scene to provide medical assistance to the affected devotees.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, which commenced on Sunday morning, is a nine-day festival that attracts millions of devotees from across the country and abroad. The festival is a grand celebration of Lord Jagannath’s journey to his aunt’s house, accompanied by his siblings and servitors. However, this year’s procession was marred by the unfortunate incident, which left many worried about the safety and well-being of the devotees.
The high humidity, which is not uncommon during the summer months in Odisha, seemed to have taken a toll on the health of many devotees, leading to feelings of suffocation and fainting spells. The heat and humidity were so intense that even the rescue teams had to take precautions to ensure their safety while rushing the affected devotees to the hospital.
The incident has raised concerns about the preparedness of the authorities to handle such situations. While the state government and the organizers of the festival have taken steps to ensure the safety and security of the devotees, the incident highlights the need for greater awareness and preparedness to tackle unexpected situations.
In recent years, the Jagannath Rath Yatra has seen a significant increase in the number of devotees attending the festival. While this is a testament to the enduring popularity of the festival, it also puts a greater strain on the infrastructure and resources available to manage the event. The authorities have been working hard to ensure that the festival is conducted safely and smoothly, but the incident on Sunday highlights the need for greater vigilance and preparedness.
The incident has also raised concerns about the medical preparedness of the hospitals in Puri, which were expected to handle the influx of devotees who fainted or required medical attention. While the hospitals in Puri are generally well-equipped to handle medical emergencies, the incident has highlighted the need for greater preparedness and contingency planning to ensure that devotees receive timely and effective medical attention.
Despite the unfortunate incident, the Jagannath Rath Yatra continued to attract large crowds, with devotees from all over the country and abroad flocking to Puri to catch a glimpse of the chariots of the deities. The festival is a significant cultural and spiritual event in India, and the incident on Sunday is unlikely to deter devotees from attending the festival in the future.
In conclusion, the incident of people suffocating and fainting at the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and safety measures during large-scale events. While the authorities and organizers of the festival have taken steps to ensure the safety and security of the devotees, the incident highlights the need for greater awareness and preparedness to tackle unexpected situations.
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