TNI Bureau: The pulling of the three chariots was halted for the day on Thursday, with none of them reaching the Shree Gundicha Temple. The chariot pulling will resume at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. There will no Adapa Bije Neeti tomorrow, confirmed SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee. Most rituals got delayed today due to Pahandi Bije delays.
Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot halted at Market Chhak, while Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana stopped at Marichikot Chhak. Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa moved only a short distance before coming to a halt. Around 10-12 lakh devotees gathered on the Grand Road to witness the annual Ratha Jatra celebrations, braving incessant rains and inclement weather conditions.
Meanwhile, a stampede-like situation near Marichikot Chhak claimed the lives of two devotees due to suffocation. Around 200-300 devotees were injured, while nearly 150 others fell ill amid the heavy rush. The injured and those who fell sick were shifted to hospitals for treatment. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation as the festival progresses.
