odisha news: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Dec 30: At least 10 devotees, including four students, fainted while several others experienced breathlessness as thousands flocked to the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, on Monday for darshan of the sibling deities.
According to reports, the situation became chaotic and stampede-like near the Lions’ Gate of the historic 12th-century shrine, where devotees crowded to catch a glimpse of the deities at year-end festivities. This overwhelming surge led to 10 devotees losing consciousness, while others complained of restlessness and suffocation.
All affected individuals were promptly transported to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital for treatment, where they were reported to be stable and responding well. It was noted that the students had traveled from a school in Kadabarang village, Bhadrak district, to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. Upon entering the temple, they were engulfed by a large crowd, causing a surge that resulted in a stampede-like scenario near the Nata Mandap area.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as a “mad rush,” stating that devotees had begun gathering from early morning, leading to pushing and shoving that caused several individuals to fall ill from congestion.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), along with Puri police and other agencies, has implemented various measures to ensure the safety of devotees and facilitate smooth crowd management during this busy period.
