
People Suffocate & Faint at Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri, Rushed to Hospital
The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, a significant Hindu festival, turned into a chaotic scene in Odisha’s Puri on Monday, as some devotees reportedly felt suffocated and fainted due to high humidity. The incident was witnessed during the grand procession of the Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, which is a major attraction of the festival.
According to state Minister Mukesh Mahaling, the incident occurred when devotees gathered in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the deities as they made their way through the streets of Puri. “Due to high humidity, one or two devotees collapsed. The rescue teams took them to the hospital immediately,” Mahaling said in a statement.
A video shared on social media platforms showed ambulances rushing to the incident spot as devotees cleared a path for them to reach the affected devotees. The video also captured the distressing scene, with people crying and trying to help the fainting devotees.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, which is one of the largest and most revered festivals in India, attracts millions of devotees every year. The festival is a significant cultural and spiritual event, with devotees coming from all over the world to participate in the grand procession.
However, this year’s festival took a worrisome turn as the high humidity and large crowd density led to a few devotees feeling suffocated and fainting. The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of devotees during such large-scale gatherings.
The administration and rescue teams responded promptly to the situation, with ambulances and medical personnel rushing to the scene to provide assistance. The affected devotees were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment and observation.
The incident has raised concerns about the preparedness of the organizers and authorities to handle large crowds during festivals. While the festival is an important cultural and spiritual event, the safety and well-being of devotees must be the top priority.
In recent years, there have been several instances of stampedes and chaos during large-scale gatherings in India, resulting in several deaths and injuries. The Jagannath Rath Yatra is no exception, with reports of stampedes and crowd control issues in the past.
Despite these concerns, the festival continues to attract millions of devotees every year, and the administration and organizers must take steps to ensure that the event is conducted in a safe and responsible manner.
In conclusion, the incident at the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of devotees during large-scale gatherings. While the festival is an important cultural and spiritual event, it is crucial that the administration and organizers take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.