Puri: Odisha woke up to a tragic stampede at Saradhabali near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri on Sunday amid a sudden surge of devotees eager to catch a glimpse of the deities atop the chariots as the morning rituals known as pahada bhanga began.
The incident, which occurred at around 4.20 am, claimed three lives and left six others injured.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi issued an apology to Jagannath devotees and followed it up with an administrative overhaul to restore public trust and ensure the smooth conduct of the remaining Rath Yatra rituals, including Adapa Bije, Bahuda, and Suna Besha.
Also Read: Saradhabali Stampede: Puri Collector & SP Removed; Rs 25L Ex-Gratia For Deceased Devotees
After the inordinate delay in pulling of the chariots on Rath Yatra (June 27) and the stampede, all eyes were on ‘Adapa Bije’, which refers to the ritual where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are escorted the Adapa Mandapa inside Shree Gundicha Temple from their respective chariots. Soon, newly-appointed Collector Chanchal Rana and SP Pinak Mishra were seen reviewing the arrangements at the chariots along with Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee before the commencement of the ritual.
Also Read: After Big Rath Yatra Shake-Up, Saswata Mishra Appointed Principal Secy To Odisha CM
The 2024 mishap, when the idol of Lord Balabhadra slipped and fell on the makeshift staircase (Charamala) while descending from the chariot to the Adapa Mandap, must have weighed heavy on their head even as the focus was on proper crowd management to prevent a recurrence of the morning incident.
After the ‘Sandhya Dhupa’ ritual, the Charamalas were fixed to the chariots, and the deities were taken in goti pahandi by the servitors inside the shrine, which is considered their birthplace. The ritual began at around 6 pm and smoothly concluded at around 10 pm.
Thousands of devotees had gathered in the pilgrim town to witness the Pahandi ritual as Lord Jagannath stepped down from his chariot Nandighosa swinging a giant tiara. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, along with Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena, and senior BJP leaders, were also present.
The deities will stay at Gundicha Temple till July 5, when they will return to their abode at Shree Jagannath Temple with Bahuda Yatra.
The devotees will be allowed to pay obeisance to the deities at Adapa Mandap from Monday, when they can also partake of Adapa Abadha, the divine offering of Lord Jagannath, after the morning rituals at the Gundicha Temple in Puri.