Uncontrolled Crowds During Religious Festivals

July 19, 2026

India, the world’s most populous and religious country, can also be called the country with the greatest religious fervor. The sacred sites and traditions of celebrating religious festivals in this country offer the message of salvation to millions. It is a different matter that the uncontrolled crowds of millions of people who gather at these pilgrimage sites raise the possibility of something untoward happening. Nevertheless, India’s devout people find their path to salvation in the religious festivals held at these pilgrimage sites. The Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, holds immense significance. In this event, the elaborately decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are pulled by ropes by millions of people.

Jagannath Puri is its original site, and the temple of Lord Jagannath is the people’s ideal goal. This year, the sacred days of the Rath Yatra are also celebrated, and a record number of devotees have gathered in Jagannath Puri. It is estimated that ten million devotees have reached there. It had been raining since Thursday morning. As soon as the rain stopped, devotees flocked to the Rath Yatra. Even those staying in lodges and hotels took to the streets. Police had anticipated that the rain would deter devotees from participating in the Rath Yatra, but devotion has no end. The crowd swelled to such an extent that people began falling over each other. There was no system in place to control or disperse the crowd. People were not instructed on the correct entry and exit routes. People were coming from different directions to participate in the Rath Yatra. Barricades failed to contain the massive crowds. As a result, crowds fell over each other, pushing and shoving ensued, and people began suffocating. Two devotees died of suffocation. More than 250 were injured.

People present at the scene reported that the traditional preliminary rituals for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra had concluded before the Rath Yatra. As soon as the stairs were installed to climb onto the chariot, the scuffle began. VIPs wanted to climb up and sit on top, but chaos ensued. People fell on each other, suffocating. There was so much jostling that devotees suffered from fatigue and dehydration. Last year, a similar chaos occurred during the Rath Yatra, resulting in the deaths of three devotees. This doesn’t happen in just one place. Similar scenes of uncontrolled crowds occur wherever sacred religious festivals are celebrated.

The question is not only about the general public maintaining discipline, but also about administrators creating appropriate routes for such gatherings and making adequate arrangements for medical treatment in case of any such emergency. For example, during the Baba Amarnath Yatra, the first stop for the crowd is in Jammu, whereby only as many people as the route can accommodate are given tokens and sent to Pahalgam. In our view, the problem arises when a few VIPs visit and, breaking rules and discipline, demand special treatment or the privilege of first darshan. Why do we forget that in the Lord’s court, everyone is equal; no one is big or small. If we bow our heads before the Lord with humility, perhaps we will attain the salvation and satisfaction we seek at these religious sites.