Early Morning Tragedy at Gundicha Temple
On June 29, 2025, at around 4:00 a.m., devotees gathered for Rath Yatra Rath Darshan of Lord Jagannatha at the Srigundicha temple in Puri when suddenly a large crowd surged into place. With about 20,000 people packed into an area of the temple allowed for 5,000-6,000, congestion erupted with deadly consequences. Three lives tragically lost: Premakant Mohanty (78), Basanti Sahu (42), and Parvathi Das (52); and more than 50 other devotees were injured, six of them seriously.
CM Majhi: Apology, Administrative Shake‑Up & Compensation
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called the incident "Unforgivable" and apologized to the devotees, describing the increased crowd as a direct result of "disturbances and chaos."
He ordered an immediate administrative overhaul:
- Transferred/suspended key officials: Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain and SP Vinit Agarwal relieved of duties; DCP Bishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi suspended.
- Appointed replacements: Khurda Collector Chanchal Rana and IPS officer Pinak Mishra assigned to Puri; ADG SK Priyadarshi overseeing security; Saswata Mishra appointed Principal Secretary to CM; and ex-Puri Collector Arvind Agarwal to head chariot management.
- Financial relief: A compensation of Rs 25 lakh has been announced for the family of the deceased.
Inquiry Underway—Report Due in 30 Days
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that a high-level administrative inquiry led by Development Commissioner Anu Garg will be completed within 30 days.
Official medical records show that all injured devotees were discharged by 8 pm that day.
Causes & Reactions
➤ Overcrowding & Poor Crowd Control
- Constrained space: The narrow Sharda Bali area, designed for 5,000-6,000 people, was filled with three times that number.
- Logistical missteps: Eyewitnesses blamed the trucks driving into the crowd and the lack of a police presence.
➤ Political & Public Outcry
- Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called it "clear cruelty" and expressed "glaring incompetence".
- Congress and BJD leaders demand immediate accountability and reforms in crowd control system
What’s Next in Rath Yatra
Despite the tragic incident, the Rath Yatra rituals continue, ending in Niladri Bije on July 8. Here are the key events ahead:
- Sandhya Darshan – July 4
- Bahuda Yatra (Return Car) – July 5
- Suna Besa – July 6 (expected attendance: over 1.5 million)
Authorities have promised "strict coordination and enhanced security protocols" to prevent a repeat of this tragic incident.