Overview
- The Bahuda Yatra drew lakhs of devotees to Puri on Friday, July 24, with the Pahandi procession beginning earlier than scheduled and chariot pulling planned for later in the day.
- Authorities deployed a multi‑layered security operation of more than 13,000 personnel and installed over 400 AI‑enabled CCTV cameras that were linked to an Integrated Command and Control System for real‑time crowd monitoring.
- Temple officials said Pahandi started around 10:50 a.m. and the traditional Chhera Pahanra and chariot‑pulling stages were conducted under close supervision by servitors and the Gajapati Maharaja.
- A devotee identified as Abhiram Das (57) was reported to have died of suffocation while pulling a chariot near Bagala Dharmashala and dozens of people were treated at Puri District Hospital, with several admitted; state confirmation and further inquiries were still developing.
- The event follows two deaths during the July 16 Rath Yatra for which the government announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia payments, and the Suna Besha and Niladri Bije rituals on July 25 are expected to draw even larger crowds while political leaders press for answers on crowd‑management.