Bhuabaneswar, July 13: Over 10 lakh devotees on Tuesday thronged Puri to see the famous car festival of Lord Jagannath. However, the death of a woman devotee in a stampede marred the otherwise perfect celebrations.
According to police, Bijayalamxi Mohanty of Bimanbadusahi of Puri was caught in a stampede that broke out when devotees clashed to touch the idol of Lord Balbhadra during the pahandi (the procession of deities from Sri Mandir to the chariot).
All rituals were completed on schedule and the three well-decorated chariots — Nandigosh of Lord Jagannath, Taladwaja of Lord Balabhadra and Darpadalan of Devi Subhadra — reached the Gundicha temple before the evening.
Tight security arrangements were made to ensure smooth conduct of the festival.