Six killed during Jagannath rath yatra in Puri

Puri, July 4 : At least six people were killed and 12 injured in a stampede during the annual rath yatra of Lord Jagannath here today.

"Policemen have been rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. The injured have been taken to the government hospital,'' said Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda.

During the procession, the idols of Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, the deities of the Sri Mandira, are taken out.

Thousands of devotees pull the chariots with the idols from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. For seven days, the deities stay at the Gundicha Temple and then return.

Every year, Puri's Rath yatra is held in June-July and lasts for about ten days.

The ten-day yatra will conclude on July 14.

ANI