Puri: The coastal town is bustling with activity as three magnificent wooden chariots are primed for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on Thursday. The Odisha government is on high alert to ensure the event unfolds smoothly.
A senior official from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) confirmed that the construction and embellishment of the chariots—Lord Balabhadra’s ‘Taladwaja’, Devi Subhadra’s ‘Darpadalan’, and Lord Jagannath’s ‘Nandighosh’—have been completed. These chariots have been transported to the ‘Singhadwar’ (Lion’s Gate) of the ancient temple after receiving the ‘Agnyamala’ (a sacred garland from the deities which signifies permission).
The chariots are currently stationed on the Grand Road in front of the temple, secured by high-level security. Millions of devotees from India and abroad are expected to witness the chariot procession on Thursday.
“Thanks to Lord Jagannath’s grace, the administration is fully equipped to handle the annual Rath Yatra on Thursday. Various government departments, along with central armed forces, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Odisha Police, are collaborating for successful arrangements,” stated Arabinda Padhee, Chief Administrator of SJTA, during a press briefing on Wednesday.
According to ADG (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, a total of 13,000 police officers, complemented by 1,500 personnel from 15 companies of central armed forces—including commandos from the NSG and RAF, as well as personnel from the CRPF and BSF—are already deployed. Additionally, 500 lifeguards have been stationed along the beachfront.
The pulling of the chariots is slated to commence at 4 pm, following traditional rituals like ‘Chhera Pahanda’ (the ceremonial sweeping of the chariot by the Gajapati Maharaja) and a visit from Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati. As of now, around 100,000 people have already arrived in Puri.
Odisha’s DGP Y B Khurania detailed a comprehensive security plan, which includes monitoring from land, sea, and air. “This year, we are concentrating on crowd control, traffic management, and emergency response on the ground, while drones and anti-drone systems will ensure aerial safety,” he explained.
Furthermore, a joint patrolling system involving the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Odisha Police Maritime Station has been established in the sea, with Quick Response Teams deployed on vessels, as noted by officials.
Special security measures have also been instituted to prevent stampedes, including accommodations for police personnel, orderly transportation, barricades, and coordination with district administration for rapid issue resolution, alongside organized ‘darshan’ for devotees.
Additional security resources such as police drones, anti-sabotage teams, bomb squads, and canine units have also been mobilized.
In light of the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms, arrangements have been made to manage rainwater drainage on Grand Road. The IMD has issued a ‘red warning’ for Puri, which recorded 143.8 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours (up to 8:30 am on Wednesday).
In response to the weather alerts, all schools in Puri, including private institutions, were closed on Wednesday. The IMD’s Bhubaneswar center has issued a special advisory for Puri, urging pilgrims to exercise caution during lightning and thunderstorms. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and those with health issues, are advised to avoid prolonged exposure to rain and crowded settings.
Additionally, the Indian Railways plans to operate over 300 trains to Puri, while the Odisha government has arranged approximately 800 buses to facilitate transportation for the devotees attending the Rath Yatra on Thursday.
