Odisha has clarified that the annual Rath Yatra in Puri was held peacefully, even as two devotees died during the festival.
The state government said there was no stampede-like incident or systemic breakdown of crowd management. According to the official statement, the festival saw about eight to nine lakh devotees despite heavy rain and difficult weather conditions. All major rituals, including the pulling of the chariots, were completed as planned.
The government said seven devotees felt unwell during the event and were quickly shifted to hospital. One elderly devotee died, while another man reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away despite medical treatment. Several others who fell ill because of the rain were treated and later discharged.
Officials said the event was managed through detailed planning involving police, health teams, fire services, ODRAF, NDRF, transport, municipal bodies, public health engineering, and energy departments. The administration also cited CCTV monitoring, traffic regulation, sanitation, drinking water, medical support, and emergency response systems as part of the arrangement.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi thanked the servitors and devotees for their patience and cooperation. He said the government remains committed to ensuring that future festivals are safe, dignified, and well-managed.
Puri Rath Yatra 2026 drew lakhs of devotees amid rain, with Odisha denying any stampede and confirming two deaths linked to health-related incidents.
