Over 10 devotees injured after stampede-like situation erupted in Puri Srimandir

As many as 10 devotees reportedly sustained injuries after a stampede-like situation erupted in Puri Lord Jagannath temple on Friday, informed sources.

It is suspected that over 10 devotees have sustained injuries in the incident at Puri Srimandir during 'Mangala Aalati'.  All the injured persons have been admitted to Puri district hospital.

An injured woman devotee said, “After the Mangala Alati was finished, the devotes were allowed to move inside. However, a stampede erupted as a huge crowd pushed us. I fell down and people stepped on me. The police helped me stand up and ferried me to the hospital.”

As per reports, the stampede erupted near the Ghantidwara and Satapahacha in the Temple when all the devotees waiting outside the Temple were allowed to enter at a time.

There are barricades outside the Srimandir and also in front of the Satapahacha inside the Temple premises. However, there are no barricades near the Natamandap or near the Jay-Bijay Dwara. So, after crossing the Singhdwara and Baisipahacha to reach Satapahacha, when they move towards Natamandap, devotees experience a huge rush till they cross Jay-Bijay Dwara, because there are no barricades from Natamandap till Jay-Bijay Dwara, said a local.

Meanwhile, experts stressed the need for steel barricades and ropes to guide the devotees inside the Natamandap till Jay-Bijay Dwara and then the Bhitarakatha.