A devotee, Abhiram Das (57) from Kataka district, reportedly died from suffocation during the Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Chakraraj Sudarshan in Puri, Odisha. The incident occurred while pulling the chariot of Devi Subhadra in a crowded area near Bagala Dharmashala. Despite immediate medical attention at Puri District Headquarters Hospital, the devotee could not be saved.
The unfortunate death of Abhiram Das comes shortly after two other devotees lost their lives during this year’s Rath Yatra on July 16. One devotee passed away due to suffocation in the crowd, while the other died from a cardiac arrest. The state government, amidst criticism of mismanagement, confirmed the deaths but denied any stampede during the festival.
In response to the tragic incidents, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased devotees. The Bahuda Yatra witnessed a large gathering of devotees as they pulled the chariots of the deities back to the Shree Jagannath Temple from the Gundicha Temple. This event marks the return journey of the holy siblings after a nine-day sojourn.
