The three majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra were placed at the Singhadwara of the Jagannath Temple on July 16, 2026 [1].
This annual event, known as the Rath Yatra, is one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages. It marks the moment the deities leave the temple to visit their aunt's home, drawing massive crowds to Puri, Odisha.
Preparations for the pilgrimage included the positioning of the giant chariots at the Lion's Gate to facilitate the procession [1]. Security was a primary concern for officials, who deployed 13,000 personnel to manage the influx of devotees [2], [3].
Reports on the size of the gathering varied. Some sources said the crowd was in the thousands [4], while others estimated 200,000 devotees [5]. Some reporting said the number reached millions [6].
The celebrations were marred by a stampede-like situation near the Singhadwara. Conflicting reports emerged regarding the casualties; one source said one person died [7], while another said two died [8]. Nearly 100 people were hospitalised following the incident [7].
Heavy rain accompanied the start of the festivities, adding to the challenges faced by the security forces and the pilgrims [5]. Despite the chaos, the placement of the chariots signaled the official commencement of the traditional journey.
“The three majestic chariots of the deities were placed at the Singhadwara of the Jagannath Temple.”
The discrepancy in crowd estimates and casualty reports highlights the logistical difficulty of managing one of the world's largest religious gatherings. The incident underscores the persistent tension between maintaining traditional pilgrimage rituals and ensuring public safety in high-density urban environments during monsoon weather.
