A shocking video of a violent street fight near Papudia on Puri’s iconic Badadanda has gone viral on social media, leaving locals, traders and devotees shaken.
The clip shows several people lifting a young man and hurling him to the ground in the heart of one of India’s busiest pilgrimage destinations.
According to police, the incident took place on the evening of 20 August. What began as a heated argument between a khaja (sweet) shopkeeper and a garland and photo seller quickly escalated into a full-blown physical confrontation involving punches, kicks, and counter-attacks.
Badadanda — the grand road leading to the world-famous Jagannath Temple — is usually thronged with devotees, tourists and vendors. The sight of open violence in such a sacred and crowded space has triggered widespread anxiety about public safety.
Following a formal complaint, Puri police launched an investigation and arrested four accused. All four have been produced in court. Officials confirmed that further probes are underway to establish the exact sequence of events and identify any additional people involved.
The viral video has amplified calls for tighter policing and better crowd-management measures along the temple corridor, especially during peak pilgrim seasons.
