1 dead, 3 hurt during Rath Yatra in Puri

PURI: Tragedy struck the Rath Yatra in Puri on Tuesday when a woman was killed and three were injured in a stampede during pulling of the chariots of the sibling deities.

The 65-year-old woman, identified as Bijaylaxmi Mohanty of Markendeswar Sahi area here, and three others fell down among the throng of devotees as the chariots were being pulled, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Puri, Narahari Maharana said.

They were taken to a hospital where doctors declared the woman brought dead.The condition of three others was stated to be stable, Maharana said.

The incident occurred near Gajapati king's palace, about one kilometer from the 12th century temple.

Mohanty fell down as the 'Taladwaja', the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, was being pulled, police said.