Chaos at Puri Jagannath Temple as ten devotees faint amid year-end rush

Bhubaneswar, Dec 30: Number of devotees flocked to the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, leading to a chaotic situation near the Lions’ Gate as they sought darshan of the deities. Reports indicate that at least 10 individuals, including four students, fainted amid the overwhelming crowd, with many others experiencing breathlessness and discomfort.

The unconscious devotees were promptly transported to Puri District Headquarters Hospital, where they received medical attention and were reported to be stable and recovering well.

The students, who hailed from Kadabarang village in Bhadrak district, faced difficulties as they entered the temple and were engulfed by the massive throng. This surge in attendance caused a stampede-like atmosphere, particularly around the ‘Nata Mandap’ area.

In anticipation of the large turnout during the year-end celebrations, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), along with local police and other agencies, had implemented comprehensive safety measures and crowd management strategies to ensure the well-being of all visitors.