The unique two-day Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 in Puri, Odisha, begins today, July 7. Due to specific celestial arrangements, this typically one-day event will span two days this year, a rare occurrence last seen in 1971. President Droupadi Murmu will be attending the festival, which is expected to draw lakhs of devotees.
Ratha Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra, is being celebrated today. The newly elected Odisha government has made special arrangements for President Murmu’s visit and declared a two-day public holiday on July 7 and 8.
The chariots are positioned in front of the Lion’s Gate of the Jagannath temple, ready to be taken to the Gundicha temple, where they will remain for a week. Devotees will pull the chariots on Sunday afternoon.
This year’s Rath Yatra will see several rituals involving the three sibling deities—Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra—performed on a single day. Rituals like ‘Nabajouban Darshan’ and ‘Netra Utsav’ will all take place on July 7, whereas these are usually conducted before the Rath Yatra. ‘Nabajouban Darshan’ signifies the youthful appearance of the deities, who remain behind closed doors for 15 days during ‘Anasara’ (quarantine) following ‘Snana Purnima’. ‘Netra Utsav’ involves freshly painting the deities’ eyeballs.
The state government has implemented extensive measures to ensure the festival proceeds smoothly. Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain expressed confidence in the successful execution of all rituals with the cooperation of all stakeholders.
Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Pinak Mishra stated that 180 platoons of security forces have been deployed to manage law and order and control the crowd. A green corridor is prepared for rapid transportation of anyone who falls ill to the hospital. Artificial Intelligence-based CCTV cameras have been installed at key locations, according to ADG (law and order) Sanjay Kumar.
Special security measures are in place for the President’s visit. A VIP zone is planned for the Odisha governor, chief minister, Union ministers, and other dignitaries, while a buffer zone is reserved for the President. A senior SP rank officer leads a dedicated team to oversee President Murmu’s visit.
Expecting a crowd of 10 to 15 lakh people, the fire service department has made necessary arrangements. DG, fire service, Sudhanshu Sarangi, mentioned that 46 modern fire tenders have been stationed throughout the town and along the sea beach for the Rath Yatra. Water will be sprinkled on the crowd to keep them cool in the expected hot and humid weather.
Written by ikshwakuvannshi ajay kaushal
