Over 600 Devotees Hospitalized Amid Heat and Chaos at Puri Rath Yatra

Puri, Odisha – The annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, held on June 27, 2025, was marred by health emergencies as extreme heat and overcrowding led to nearly 625 devotees requiring medical attention, according to officials. The sweltering conditions and dense crowds caused widespread illness, with symptoms including vomiting, fainting, and minor injuries reported among attendees.

Dr. Kishore Satapathy, Puri’s Chief District Medical Officer, stated that most affected individuals were treated at outpatient departments and discharged after receiving initial care. However, approximately 70 people remained under treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital, with nine in critical condition. Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mukesh Mahaling, attributed the health issues primarily to the hot and humid weather.

The festival, which draws around one million devotees to witness the procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, faced significant disruptions. A major bottleneck occurred in the Balagandi area, where Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, Taladhwaja, was stalled for over an hour, exacerbating crowd congestion. This delay contributed to injuries, particularly in the Balagandi area, where many devotees were caught in the chaos.

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Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan downplayed the severity of the situation, noting that chariot delays are not uncommon and that all rituals were completed on schedule without any major accidents. The chariot of Devi Subhadra, Darpadalan, was halted at Marichkote, while Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosh chariot was only symbolically pulled and remained near the main temple.

Despite the challenges, no fatalities were reported, and emergency services were on hand to assist affected devotees. The incident underscores the logistical challenges of managing such a large-scale religious event under extreme weather conditions.