Bahuda Yatra 2025: Odisha CM Majhi reviews Puri preparations, orders crowd tech
Synopsis
With lakhs of devotees expected in Puri on 24 July, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered CCTV-integrated crowd monitoring through a central command centre — a tech-forward push to manage what is one of India's most densely attended single-day religious events. The Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, and Niladri Bije rituals still lie ahead.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a high-level Bahuda Yatra review meeting on 22 July in Bhubaneswar .
The Bahuda Yatra — return procession of Lord Jagannath and sibling deities — is scheduled for 24 July in Puri .
Majhi directed CCTV feeds to be integrated with the Integrated Command and Control Centre for real-time crowd density monitoring.
All Rath Yatra rituals conducted so far have proceeded smoothly despite incessant rainfall and adverse weather.
Three major events remain: Bahuda Yatra , Suna Besha , and Niladri Bije .
Senior police and fire services chiefs — Y.B.
Khurania , Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi , and SK Priyadarshi — briefed the meeting on security measures.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday, 22 July chaired a high-level review meeting in Bhubaneswar to assess preparations for the Bahuda Yatra — the return procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and associated deities to the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, scheduled for 24 July. The Chief Minister directed officials to prioritise crowd management and real-time information flow as the festival enters its final and most critical phase.
What Majhi Directed
CM Majhi stressed the need for scientific monitoring of crowd density, instructing that live feeds from CCTV cameras be integrated through the Integrated Command and Control Centre and relayed instantly to ground personnel at congestion points to enable prompt intervention. He also appealed to devotees and pilgrims to adhere strictly to guidelines issued by the police and district administration.
With the Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, and Niladri Bije rituals yet to be conducted, Majhi directed officials to ensure all remaining ceremonies proceed in a smooth, orderly, and disciplined manner.
On-Ground Situation
Officials briefed the Chief Minister that all rituals associated with the annual Rath Yatra festival have so far been conducted without incident. Notably, the dedication of officials, employees, volunteers, and devotees remained unaffected despite incessant rainfall, adverse weather conditions, and high heat and humidity — a recurring challenge for Puri's summer festival.
Senior officials have maintained a continuous presence during key ceremonies, including the Pahandi ritual, chariot pulling, Dakshini Moda, and Adapa Mandap darshan, to oversee orderly conduct.
What Officials Reported
Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, presented a detailed management report on the Rath Yatra. Director General of Police, Odisha, Y.B. Khurania, Director General of Fire Services Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi, and Additional Director General of Police (Modernisation) SK Priyadarshi briefed the meeting on security arrangements and policing measures for the remaining events.
Significance of Bahuda Yatra
The Bahuda Yatra is the ninth-day event of the world-famous Rath Yatra festival, during which lakhs of devotees pull the chariots of the sibling deities from the Gundicha Temple back to the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple. It is among the most heavily attended single-day religious events in India, drawing pilgrims from across the country and abroad.
CM Majhi also lauded the sincerity of the sevayats (temple servitors) and acknowledged the coordinated effort of all government staff engaged in festival management. The district administration and police have been maintaining constant vigil in Puri, with regular monitoring of all arrangements.
All eyes are now on 24 July, when the Bahuda Yatra procession will determine whether the administration's preparedness translates into a safe and seamless return journey for the deities.
Point of View
And the administration's real test comes on 24 July when devotee numbers peak. The fact that senior police chiefs personally briefed the CM suggests the government is taking no chances — a prudent posture given that crowd crushes at religious events have caused fatalities elsewhere in India in recent years.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bahuda Yatra and when is it in 2025?
Bahuda Yatra is the return procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Gundicha Temple back to the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, observed on the ninth day of the Rath Yatra festival. In 2025, it is scheduled for 24 July.
What crowd management measures has the Odisha government announced for Bahuda Yatra?
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to implement scientific crowd density monitoring using CCTV cameras integrated with the Integrated Command and Control Centre. Real-time data will be relayed to ground personnel at congestion points to enable immediate intervention.
How have the earlier Rath Yatra rituals gone this year?
According to officials who briefed CM Majhi, all rituals conducted so far during the 2025 Rath Yatra have proceeded smoothly. This includes the Pahandi ritual, chariot pulling, Dakshini Moda, and Adapa Mandap darshan, despite incessant rainfall and adverse weather conditions.
Which rituals are still pending after Bahuda Yatra?
Following the Bahuda Yatra on 24 July, two major rituals remain — Suna Besha and Niladri Bije. CM Majhi has directed officials to ensure all three are conducted in a smooth, orderly, and disciplined manner.
Who attended the high-level Bahuda Yatra review meeting?
The meeting was chaired by CM Mohan Charan Majhi and included Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee (Chief Administrator, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration), Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania, Director General of Fire Services Dr Sudhanshu Sarangi, and Additional DGP (Modernisation) SK Priyadarshi.
