Is Puri Ready for the World-Famous Rath Yatra Starting Friday?
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Synopsis
As the much-anticipated Ratha Yatra approaches, Puri prepares to welcome thousands of devotees. Join in the excitement as Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra embark on their sacred journey, with elaborate arrangements in place to ensure a smooth celebration.
Key Takeaways
- Puri prepares for the Ratha Yatra with extensive security and logistical arrangements.
- Over 200 police platoons are deployed for safety.
- Special trains are running to aid travel for devotees.
- Medical facilities are enhanced to handle emergencies during the festival.
- Devotees can track live updates via a new chatbot application.
Bhubaneswar, June 26 (NationPress) The city of Puri in Odisha is gearing up for the renowned Ratha Yatra, as the divine siblings -- Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra -- prepare to begin their nine-day pilgrimage from their 12th-century shrine to Gundicha Temple on June 27.
Devotees, filled with joy, will pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra — Nandighosh, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalan respectively — for approximately 3 km to the Gundicha Temple, which some legends claim to be the birthplace of the Chaturddha Murti (Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Maa Subhadra, and Sudarshan).
Multiple state government departments have made extensive preparations to guarantee a seamless and incident-free Rath Yatra starting Friday. “We are entirely prepared for tomorrow’s grand Rath Yatra,” stated Sidharth Shankar Swain, Collector of Puri.
“All rituals and arrangements have been meticulously designed and will be executed with utmost dedication. I seek the blessings of Mahaprabhu and the cooperation of all devotees to ensure a smooth and sacred celebration.”
The sacred city of Puri has been placed under a five-tiered security framework for the nine-day Rath Yatra festival commencing Friday.
Approximately 200 platoons of police and eight companies from the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, and others have been deployed throughout this holy coastal town for the Rath Yatra.
Additionally, around 10,000 personnel from the Odisha police, Central Armed Police Force, and home guards have been stationed in Puri and its surrounding areas during this year’s Rath Yatra.
Police officers stationed at an integrated command-and-control system, introduced for the first time this year, along with other sub-control rooms, will monitor traffic and crowd movements using live feeds from about 275 AI-enabled CCTVs installed from Uttara Square to Puri Town, in the town, and connecting Puri to Konark.
“The world-famous Ratha Yatra is set to commence tomorrow (Friday). All preparations have been finalized. The police have established elaborate measures for safety and security, traffic control, and law enforcement. A chatbot application was launched this afternoon. I encourage everyone to utilize this app for real-time updates on traffic conditions leading to the holy town and the availability of parking spots. I hope the Rath Yatra will be a success with the cooperation of the public,” said Y.B. Khurania, DGP of Odisha Police on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the East Coast Railway has initiated 365 special trains to facilitate hassle-free travel for devotees heading to Puri from various parts of Odisha and neighboring states.
Considering the onset of the monsoon season, the Odisha Health Department has deployed over 375 doctors and medical personnel to handle any medical emergencies.
They have arranged for an additional 265 beds at the Puri District Headquarters Hospital and other health facilities, as well as established around 69 first aid centers throughout the holy city.
Following a 14-day isolation period in the Anasara Gruha within the Jagannath Temple after the ritual bath on Snana Yatra on June 11, devotees were able to witness the holy triad on the occasion of Netrotsav or Nabajauvana Darshan on Thursday.
Point of View
I affirm that the Ratha Yatra is not just a festival; it is a symbol of cultural heritage and unity among devotees. The meticulous preparations and security measures reflect the commitment to ensure a smooth and sacred experience for everyone involved. We stand with the community in celebrating this revered event.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ratha Yatra?
The Ratha Yatra, or the Chariot Festival, is an annual festival in Puri, where the deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are pulled on giant chariots from their temple to Gundicha Temple.
When does the Ratha Yatra start?
The Ratha Yatra is scheduled to begin on June 27 this year and lasts for nine days.
What security measures are in place for the festival?
A five-tiered security system has been established, with over 200 police platoons and additional forces deployed to ensure the safety of devotees.
How can devotees travel to Puri during the Ratha Yatra?
The East Coast Railway has arranged 365 special trains to facilitate travel for devotees from various regions.
Are there medical facilities available during the Ratha Yatra?
Yes, the Odisha Health Department has deployed medical staff and set up additional beds and first aid centers to handle any emergencies.
