Stampede Kills 2 As Lakhs Throng Puri Rath Yatra

Two people were killed and three others injured in a stampede as the century's first Nabakalebar Rath Yatra got underway in Puri on Saturday amid unprecedented security arrangements. 
Sources said two women were killed but their identities are yet to be ascertained. 
Director General of Police Sanjeev Marik confirmed only one death of a 64-year old woman, saying she died of exhaustion. 
Sources said two women were killed at the century's first Nabakalebar Rath Yatra in Puri on Saturday. One of them was about 65 years of age, the other one was of about 55, sources told Mail Today
However, sources in Puri district headquarter hospital said two women were killed. 
One of them was about 65 years of age, the other one was of about 55, sources told Mail Today.
Condoling the deaths, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that free medical treatment would be provided to the injured. 
The DGP said two people had sustained serious head injuries during the Rath Yatra and were rushed to the hospital.

They were later shifted to Cuttack as their condition became critical. 
A few people also sustained minor injuries when they fell from a terrace while watching the Rath Yatra. 
RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share District headquarter hospital sources said 123 persons had been admitted in the hospital's trauma care centre following various kinds of complaints, including breathlessness. 
DGP Marik said that there was unprecedented turnout for the Rath Yatra this year. 
"More than 15 lakh people have congregated here, which is 50 per cent more than last year," he said. 
Devotees from all walks of life made a beeline to the town since Friday for the world famous annual festival of chariots to catch a glimpse of the presiding deities of the 12th-century shrine of Sri Jagannath. 
An injured woman being taken for treatment after the stampede during the Rath Yatra. District headquarter hospital sources said 123 persons had been admitted in the hospital's trauma care centre
Entire Puri town got steeped in devotional fervour with the Grand Road outside the Jagannath Temple packed with devotees. 
This being the year of Nabakalebar, which means old idols of the deities have been replaced with the new ones, devotees wanted to catch the first glimpse of the new idols.
Amid frenzy and fanfare, the rituals associated with the festival, https://telegra.ph/Rath-Yatra-Rituals-06-29 including Pahandibije (ceremonial procession of the deities to their chariots) were held on time. 
A host of VVIPs, including governor SC Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik witnessed the mega event.

Also present were Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. 
Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhana Peeth, Swamy Nischalananda Saraswati, had darshan of the deities on chariots along with his six disciples. 
"Taladhawaja" was the first of the three chariots to roll out after the ceremonial sweeping of their decks by Puri's King Gajpati Dibya Singh Deo. 
It was followed by the chariots of Subhadra and Lord Jagannath.

However, only Taladhawaja reached the destination of Sri Gundicha Temple.