Puri: The annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced in the seaside pilgrim town of Puri, Odisha, on Sunday. This year, for the first time since 1971, the festival will span two days instead of one. President Droupadi Murmu will be among the lakhs of devotees participating in the yatra on Sunday. The Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, has made special arrangements for her visit.
Due to celestial arrangements, the usually one-day Rath Yatra will be a two-day event this year. Rath Yatra is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. During the festival, the idols of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, are placed on grand chariots and pulled by devotees through the streets. The procession starts at the Jagannath Temple and ends at the Gundicha Temple, covering approximately three kilometers. In a departure from tradition, some rituals typically held on different days will be conducted in a single day. These rituals include 'Nabajouban Darshan' and 'Netra Utsav,' usually performed before the Rath Yatra.
'Nabajouban Darshan' signifies the youthful appearance of the three deities, who remain behind closed doors for 15 days in a ritual called 'Anasara' (quarantine) after 'Snana Purnima.' According to mythology, the deities fall ill due to excessive bathing on 'Snana Purnima' and thus stay indoors. Prior to 'Nabajouban Darshan,' priests perform 'Netra Utsav,' a special ritual where the eyeballs of the deities are freshly painted.
Security Arrangements for Rath Yatra
The Odisha government has implemented elaborate measures to ensure the smooth and timely conduct of the annual festival. "With the cooperation of all stakeholders, all the rituals are proceeding smoothly. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, all other rituals will also be conducted according to the schedule," said Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain.
Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra stated that 180 platoons (one platoon comprises 30 personnel) of security personnel from both the state and central governments have been deployed to maintain law and order and manage the crowds. According to ADG (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, AI-based CCTV cameras have been installed at Badadanda, the festival venue, and other strategic locations. Special security arrangements have been made for the President's visit. While a VIP zone has been designated for the Odisha Governor, Chief Minister, Union Ministers, and other dignitaries, a buffer zone has been planned for the President.
A dedicated team led by a senior SP rank officer has been formed to supervise President Murmu's visit. Expecting a crowd of 10 to 15 lakh people, the fire service department has also made necessary arrangements. "Altogether, 46 modern fire tenders have been deployed in various parts of the town and along the sea beach for the Rath Yatra," said DG of Fire Service Sudhanshu Sarangi.
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