Stampede Like Situation in Overcrowded Puri Srimandir, At Least 10 Injured

Puri: A stampede-like situation occurred in the Sri Jagannath temple in Puri on Friday because of overcrowding of devotees during the Mangal Aalati ritual at early morning.

The injured were admitted to Puri district hospital.

According to eyewitnesses, the stampede-like situation happened when devotees were allowed to move inside after the end of Mangala Alati.

This stampede-like situation occurred near the Ghantidwara and Satapahacha inside the temple.

Some devotees advocated for the installation of steel barricades and ropes to guide the devotees inside the Natamandap till Jay-Bijay Dwara and then the Bhitarakatha to avoid similar situation in future.