A devotee fainted during the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri and was rushed to hospital for medical assistance.
An ocean of devotion swept through Puri on Friday as the sacred ‘Pahandi’ ritual marked the beginning of the annual Rath Yatra, drawing lakhs of devotees to the historic seaside town.
In a mesmerising spectacle, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath were ceremoniously carried out of the 12th-century temple and escorted to their grand chariots, setting the stage for one of India’s most revered festivals.
This year’s Rath Yatra is unfolding under an unprecedented security blanket, with nearly 10,000 personnel from the Odisha Police, central armed police forces, the National Security Guard, and other agencies deployed to ensure safety and order.
“We have made all possible arrangements for the smooth conduct of Rath Yatra,” Director General of Police Y B Khurania told reporters, assuring that vigilance has been heightened with the help of over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras keeping a close watch on the surging crowds.
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As the majestic chariots prepare to roll through the streets, chants of devotion and the rhythmic beating of drums echo through Puri, transforming the city into a vibrant canvas of faith and tradition.
In Ahmedabad, chaos erupted during the Rath Yatra when elephants participating in the grand procession broke free from control and charged into the crowd, leaving several people injured.
Dramatic video footage captures the terrifying moments as the procession descended into panic. In the clip, mahouts can be seen desperately trying to rein in the agitated animals, while devotees and onlookers scatter through narrow lanes to escape.