
Mon Jun 30 01:08:56 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article suitable for “The Hindu,” given its description.
**Summary:**
The annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha, continued with renewed fervor on Sunday, June 29, 2025, despite a tragic stampede the previous day that killed three and injured over 50. Devotees gathered to witness the “Adapa Mandap Bije” ritual, where deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra were ceremonially carried to the Shree Gundicha Temple, considered Lord Jagannath’s aunt’s house. The deities will reside at the Gundicha Temple for seven days, a significant part of the Rath Yatra tradition before returning to the Jagannath Temple. The report emphasizes the significance of Gundicha Temple as the deities birthplace.
**News Article:**
**Puri Rath Yatra Continues Amidst Grief and Devotion Following Stampede**
**Puri, Odisha – June 30, 2025:** Just hours after a tragic stampede claimed three lives and injured over 50, devotees in Puri gathered on Sunday, June 29, 2025, with unwavering devotion to witness the “Adapa Mandap Bije” – a sacred ritual of the annual Rath Yatra festival. The ceremony saw the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra ceremonially carried in a grand procession to the Shree Gundicha Temple.
The atmosphere was thick with a mixture of grief and renewed faith. Despite the previous day’s devastating events, chants of “Jai Jagannath” and “Haribol” reverberated through the air as the deities were moved from their chariots to the Gundicha Temple. Lord Balabhadra led the procession, followed by Devi Subhadra, with Lord Jagannath completing the trio’s entrance into what is considered their aunt’s abode.
The Shree Gundicha Temple, located approximately 3 kilometers from the main Jagannath Temple, holds special significance in the Rath Yatra tradition. According to mythology, it is the place where Lord Viswakarma constructed the wooden idols of the sibling deities, making it considered the birthplace of Lord Jagannath. The deities will reside at the Gundicha Temple for seven days as part of the annual festival, before their return to the Jagannath Temple.
The Rath Yatra, one of India’s most significant religious festivals, attracts millions of pilgrims each year. Authorities are investigating the cause of the stampede and reviewing safety measures to prevent future tragedies, as the festivities continue.