• Source:JND
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Puri Rath Yatra: A devotee reportedly suffocated to death while several others were injured during the 'pulling of the chariot' ceremony during the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri district on Sunday after a stampede-like situation ensued, NDTV reported, citing sources.

The incident reportedly occurred on Bara Danda, the Grand Road of Puri, where the grand procession was underway. One person was critically injured during the incident, while several others sustained injuries during the chariot pulling. The accident happened during the pulling of Lord Balabhadra's chariot, which traditionally leads the procession, India Today reported, citing witnesses.

Following the incident, district administration and emergency services swung into action and transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.

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The chariot pulling started around 5:20 pm after Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanada Saraswati visited the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra with his disciples and the Puri's titular king completed the 'Chhera Pahanra' (chariot sweeping) ritual.

Odisha Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said, “The Rath Yatra will be organized for two days, July 7 and 8. Today, the President came here. The Rath Yatra will continue tomorrow. Today, the chariot was pulled for very little time; tomorrow, it will be pulled for the entire day.”

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had declared a two-day public holiday on July 7 and 8 to coincide with the Rath Yatra celebrations.

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This year's Rath Yatra holds particular significance as several rituals involving the three sibling deities - Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra - will be performed on a single day, Sunday, July 7. Typically, these rituals, such as 'Nabajouban Darshan' and 'Netra Utsav', are conducted before the Rath Yatra.