Stampedes In India: A stampede-like situation broke out at Puri’s Grand Road (Bada Danda) during the Jagannath Rath Yatra on Thursday as lakhs of devotees led to chaos near the chariot procession, prompting
an immediate rescue operation by emergency teams.
According to preliminary information, the incident occurred around 500 metres from the outer security cordon during the Pahandi ritual. Around 200 devotees experienced breathing difficulties due to the heavy crowd and were rescued by emergency teams before being shifted to Puri Medical for treatment.
Preliminary information suggests around 200 devotees were rescued from the congested area and taken to hospitals in Puri after complaining of breathing difficulties.
Meanwhile, sources claimed that one devotee died after allegedly collapsing during the rush. He was taken to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital, where he was declared dead, sources said. An official confirmation regarding the reported death is still awaited.
What Is A Stampede?
A stampede is a sudden, uncontrolled rush of people, causing injury or death due to panic or overcrowding. It occurs when a large crowd moves uncontrollably, often resulting in injury or death due to panic.
Other Stampede Incidents
This is not the first time that a people have lost their loves died in stampedes at temples and other gatherings over the years in India. A stampede at Maharashtra’s Mandhardevi temple in 2005 led to the deaths of more than 340 devotees. A stampede at Rajasthan’s Chamunda Devi temple in 2008 led to the deaths of over 250 people. A stampede at a religious gathering at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh caused the loss of lives of 162 people in 2008.
Here is a list of some of the major stampedes that occurred in the country over the last two decades.
Sheetla Mata Temple Stampede (March 31, 2026): At least eight people were killed while several others sustained injuries after a stampede broke out at Sheetla Mata Mandir in Maghra village in Bihar’s Nalanda district on March 31, 2026. The incident occurred as a massive crowd gathered at the temple. Authorities said a large number of worshippers had assembled at the temple as it was the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month, and the surge in crowd movement reportedly triggered the stampede that led to the casualties.
Venkateswara Swamy Temple Stampede (November 1, 2025): At least nine people were killed and fifteen others injured in a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, on November 1, 2025. The area where devotees assembled was still under construction, creating an unsafe environment for the massive crowd. Despite ongoing construction work, the temple continued to permit entry into the premises.
Karur Stampede (September 27, 2025): A political rally led by actor-turned-politician and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay in Karur took a tragic turn after a stampede broke out that left over 40 people dead and several others injured. The crowd swelled and became uncontrollable, even as Vijay was addressing the gathering, leading to people fainting. The fainted people were shifted to hospitals in ambulances, and some of them are reportedly battling for their lives.
Haridwar Mansa Devi Temple Stampede (July 27, 2025): At least six people lost their lives and several others were injured after a stampede broke out at the holy shrine of Mansa Devi temple in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar, where hundreds of devotees had gathered on Sunday to pay obeisance to the deity. The incident took place when a rumour of an electric shock on the stairs spread among the huge crowd of devotees.
Bengaluru Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede (June 4, 2025): The tragic incident took place occurred on June 4 during a victory celebration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The event, intended to honor RCB’s first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title, tragically resulted in 11 fatalities and over 70 injuries. The stampede took place between 5 pm and 7 pm, as an estimated 250,000 fans gathered outside the stadium. Attempts to enter the stadium led to overcrowding at entry points, causing panic and chaos. The situation escalated when free passes were announced, prompting ticketless fans to surge towards the gates.
Gundicha Temple Stampede (June 29, 2025): At least three devotees were killed and over 50 were injured after a stampede broke out near Shri Gundicha Temple during the annual Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri. The stampede took place in front of the chariot of Lord Jagannath, Nandighosh, when it reached the Gundicha Temple around 4-5 am on June 29, Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain said as quoted by news agency PTI.
Lairai Devi Temple Stampede (May 3, 2025): At least six people were killed and over 70 injured after a stampede took place during the annual Devi Lairai Jatra in Shirgaon village in Goa. The stampede took place as thousands of devotees participated in the procession to witness and take part in the centuries-old ritual at the temple, where barefoot ‘dhonds’ walk across a bed of burning embers.
New Delhi Railway Station Stampede (February 15, 2025): At least eighteen people, including five children and 9 women, lost their lives after a stampede occurred at the New Delhi Railway Station on February 15 this year. The incident took place after hundreds of passengers gathered suddenly on platforms 13 and 14 in a span of 15-20 minutes, triggering a stampede which left several injured. They were waiting to board the train to Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh.
Maha Kumbh Stampede (January 29, 2025): The religious congregation at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj turned into a nightmare for many as thirty people were killed and 60 were injured when crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on January 29 this year.
Venkateswara Swamy Temple Stampede (January 8, 2025): At least six people were killed and several others were injured in a stampede in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh on January 8 evening, after thousands of devotees flocked to the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala Hills to get tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
Hathras Satsang Stampede (July 2, 2024): Over 116 people died and dozens were injured in a stampede at a religious congregation in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district on July 2 last year. The stampede broke out at a ‘satsang’ (prayer meeting) organised by a self-styled godman, Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari. The stampede took place around 3:30 pm when Baba was leaving the venue.
Indore Stampede (March 21, 2023): Thirty-six people died when the slab constructed on top of an ancient ‘bawdi’ or well collapsed during a ‘havan’ programme held on the occasion of Ram Navami at a temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore.
Vaishno Devi Stampede (January 1, 2022): Twelve people died and over a dozen were injured in a stampede at the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra triggered by a heavy rush of devotees on the occasion of new year.
Rajahmundry Stampede (July 14, 2015): Twenty-seven pilgrims died and 20 others were injured in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river where a huge crowd of devotees had gathered on the opening day of the ‘Pushkaram’ festival in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh
Datia Stampede (October 13, 2013): 115 people were killed and over 100 injured in a stampede during the Navratri festivities near Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district. The stampede was triggered by rumours that a river bridge the devotees were crossing was about to collapse.
Patna’s Chhath Stampede (November 19, 2012): Eighteen people were killed and many others injured as a makeshift bridge caved in, triggering a stampede during the Chhath Puja at Adalat Ghat on one of the banks of the Ganga River in Patna.
Haridwar Har-ki-Pauri Stampede (November 8, 2011): Twenty people were killed in a stampede in Haridwar at Har-ki-Pauri ghat on the banks of the Ganga river.
Sabarimala Stampede (January 14, 2011): A stampede caused by a jeep crashing into pilgrims at Pulmedu in Kerala’s Idukki district left 104 Sabarimala devotees dead and over 40 injured.
Pratapgarh Stampede (March 4, 2010): Sixty-three people were killed in a stampede at Ram Janki Temple of Kripalu Maharaj in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district as people gathered to collect free clothes and food from the religious leader.
Jodhpur Stampede (September 30, 2008): Between 220 and 250 devotees were killed and over 60 injured in a stampede triggered by rumours of a bomb going off at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur.
Naina Devi Temple Stampede (August 3, 2008): A stampede triggered by rumours of rockslides at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district left 162 dead and 47 injured.
Mandhardevi Temple Stampede (January 25, 2005): Around 340 devotees were trampled to death and hundreds injured during an annual pilgrimage at Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra’s Satara district. The accident occurred when some people fell down the steps made slippery by the devotees breaking coconuts.
Nashik Kumbh Stampede (August 27, 2003): Thirty-nine people were killed and around 140 injured in a stampede during the holy bath at the Kumbh Mela in Maharashtra’s Nashik district.
(With inputs from agencies)
