Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik has expressed serious concern over the “inordinate delay” in pulling the Nandighosha chariot during this year’s Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, which led to discomfort and distress among thousands of devotees.
Taking to social media platform ‘X’, Patnaik refrained from directly blaming the administration but said the unfolding of events during one of Odisha’s most sacred religious celebrations left devotees deeply disappointed.
“We aren’t here to point fingers or blame the administration for yesterday’s inordinate delay in pulling the Nandighosha chariot. But it’s impossible not to voice our deep concern and anguish over how things unfolded during the most sacred event in our State,” he wrote.
Patnaik also recalled last year’s unfortunate incident during Adapa Bije Pahandi, when Lord Balabhadra’s idol slipped, calling it a moment that left “countless devotees shaken.” He added that the chariot of Lord Jagannath stood unmoved near the temple’s main gate until 7:45 PM on Friday, leaving lakhs of pilgrims feeling “disenchanted and disillusioned.”
Meanwhile, the delay and extreme humidity led to several devotees collapsing from suffocation. Emergency medical teams and ambulances were dispatched, and those affected were swiftly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Odisha Minister Mukesh Mahaling, present at the venue, confirmed the medical response and stated, “Due to high humidity, one or two devotees collapsed. Rescue teams immediately transported them to the hospital. We’re ensuring availability of glucose, water, and proper medical attention on-site.”
The Rath Yatra began on Friday amid massive crowds, with devotees pulling the three grand chariots—Nandighosha (Lord Jagannath), Taladhwaja (Lord Balabhadra), and Darpadalana (Devi Subhadra)—from the Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple.
The rituals began with the ceremonial ‘Chhera Pahanra’, or sweeping of the chariots, performed by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, following which the deities were placed on their respective chariots in a traditional and sacred procession.
