Every year, the coastal city of Puri in eastern India comes alive with one of the oldest and largest religious festivals in the world – the chariot festival. But this year, joy and faith turned into horror. A sudden stampede during the festival claimed three lives and injured dozens. Yes, you read that right – three dead and dozens injured! It all started when a crowd of devotees eager to see the sacred deities on three massive chariots suddenly began pushing and suffocating. People fell unconscious, and panic broke out. Senior government official Sidart Shankar Swain confirmed that 15 people were taken to the local hospital, with three declared dead and 12 discharged to home care. Autopsies are underway to determine the exact cause of death. Imagine tens of thousands of people gathering in Puri, near the Sri Gundicha temple, close to the famous Jagannath temple, to see the deities on three chariots. The chariot festival is one of the oldest and largest religious events in the world, but this year it turned into a tragedy. How can such things happen at religious gatherings that are supposed to be filled with peace and spirituality? Was the safety of devotees neglected? Are the authorities prepared to prevent such disasters? This is not just news about an accident; it’s a wake-up call for all of us to think about how mass events are organized and how much human lives are valued. If you have thoughts on how such tragedies could be prevented or if you have ever attended similar events, drop a comment – let’s shake things up together and maybe stop the next disaster!
