Puri : Two women were killed and 10 injured, two of them critically, in a stampede during Lord Jagannath’s Rathyatra in this temple town on Saturday.

While one woman was killed near Balagandi square when Lord Balabhadra’s chariot “Taladhwaja” was passing through the area on the Grand Road, another died in a similar incident near Marichkot Chak, the police said.

The injured were admitted to the district headquarters hospital here and two of them were later shifted to the SCBMedicalCollege and Hospital at Cuttack, it said. The stampede was the result of a sudden surge in the crowd surrounding the chariot as it was proceeding towards the GundichaTemple, police said adding details are awaited.

The identity of the deceased, aged around 60 years, is yet to be ascertained.

Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad descended on the pilgrim town of Puri in Odisha to witness commencement of the nine-day journey of the new idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to GundichaTemple and back to their abode.

Devotees from all walks of life have been making a beeline to the town since yesterday for the world famous annual festival of chariots to catch a glimpse of the presiding deities of the 12th century shrine of Sri Jagannath.

Enthusiasm and excitement ran high among devotees as the deities remained indoors for 45 days this time due to Nabakalebara marking change of bodies of the Lords, which took place after a gap of 19 years.

“Naba Jaubana Darshan” of the deities was performed on Friday as they remained confined in “Anasara Pindi” (recovery chamber) after the grand bath on “Snana Purnima” on June 2.

With over 30 lakh pilgrims expected to attend the festivities, police have made elaborate arrangements to provide a thick security cover by deploying about 10,000 personnel besides putting air and coast surveillance in place.

“The police are well-prepared to face any situation. Besides engagement of many senior officers, 164 platoons of force have been deployed at strategic points. Precautions have been taken to avoid any stampede like situation,” Inspector general of Police and Officer on Special Duty Soumendra K Priyadarshi said.

Personnel of Anti Terrotist Squad, the Rapid Action Force and sharp shooters have been deployed at vital points while the Coast Guard keeps a vigil on the sea.

Devotees poured into the seaside town to watch the grand ceremony and pull the three majestic and colourful chariots on the ‘bada danda’, the grand avenue.