With chants of Jai Jagannath echoing through the air and the rhythmic beating of traditional drums rising above the crowds, lakhs of devotees converged on the sacred coastal town of Puri on Friday to witness the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. The ancient festival, steeped in devotion and pageantry, commenced under an expansive security blanket and careful logistical arrangements.
By Thursday evening, over one lakh pilgrims had arrived, and by Friday morning, the figure had swelled several times over, police officials said. The turnout is expected to rise as the day progresses, with visitors pouring in from across the country and abroad.
“By the grace of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath), we are fully prepared to conduct a smooth Rath Yatra on Friday. We are getting complete support and cooperation from the servitors. All arrangements are in place to make the mega event successful,”Arabinda Padhee, Chief Administrator, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA)
The Rath Yatra, one of India’s grandest religious festivals, sees Lord Jagannath, along with siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, journey in chariots from the sanctum of the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, a distance of about 3 kilometres. The festival symbolises divine unity and renewal, attracting pilgrims regardless of caste, creed or nationality.
This year’s Yatra has seen unprecedented preparations, with the Odisha government implementing a series of enhanced measures to manage the crowds and ensure safety.
Also read: Puri decks up for Rath Yatra, lakhs to join sacred journey
Command, control, and vigilance
For the first time, an Integrated Command and Control Centre has been established in Puri to monitor the event in real time. Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania stated that this would enable authorities to respond quickly to any untoward incident.
Over 275 AI-powered CCTV cameras have been installed across the town and along the road to Konark — site of the famed 13th-century Sun Temple — to bolster surveillance and crowd control.
Around 10,000 security personnel, including eight companies of Central Armed Police Forces, have been deployed to secure the temple precincts and manage the vast crowds expected to gather during the chariot procession.
National Security Guard (NSG) snipers have been stationed on rooftops along the Grand Road, the ceremonial route of the chariots, in a show of precautionary preparedness.
The seamless coordination between the temple servitors, district administration, and state police has so far ensured a smooth progression of the rituals. Authorities remain on high alert as the Yatra unfolds, with medical aid centres, water kiosks, and rest zones established throughout the town.
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