Bhubaneswar, Dec 30: Four students fainted inside the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Monday, caught in a stampede due to the overwhelming crowd ahead of the New Year celebrations. 

The incident highlights the challenges posed by the massive influx of devotees during festive periods at one of Odisha's most revered temples.

The students, hailing from a school in Kadabarang village, Bhadrak district, had traveled to Puri to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. Reports indicate that the mishap occurred as the group entered the temple for darshan. They were swept into a dense crowd near the Nata Mandap area, a key spot inside the temple complex, where devotees traditionally gather in large numbers.

Temple authorities and other devotees quickly intervened to assist the students. Medical personnel stationed near the temple premises provided immediate care, and the students were later reported to be in stable condition. Authorities are urging visitors to follow safety protocols during the ongoing festive season to prevent further incidents.

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