Puri: Rath Yatra 2023 began with religious fervour Tuesday in this holy town as millions of devotees flocked the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to get a glimpse of Lord Jagannath and His siblings aboard massive chariots on their annual sojourn to Gundicha Temple.
Chariot pulling began with Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot followed by Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana and Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa amid sounds of traditional musical instruments and vedic chants.
Earlier in the day, Puri’s titular King Gajapati Dibyasingha Dev performed the Chhera Panhara ritual (Ceremonial Sweeping) Tuesday on the Chariots of the Trinity.
Prior to that, idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings were placed on their respective chariots through the spectacular ceremonial Pahandi rituals which was followed by Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati paying obeisance to Holy Trinity atop chariots.
Lakhs of devotees have thronged the pilgrim town Puri to witness the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Tuesday, which is set to roll as various rituals are being carried out.
The Taladhwaja Rath for Lord Balabhadra, the Darpadalan Rath for Goddess Subhadra and the Nandighosa Rath for Lord Jagannath each have their own colours, height, diameter, wooden horses, guardian deities and even charioteers.
The rituals began with ‘Mangala Arati’ at 6 am of Tuesday, followed by ‘Mailam’ and ‘Vesha’, ‘Rosha Homa’ and ‘Surya Puja’ – all part of the rituals. Then ‘Gopal Bhog’ and ‘Khichidi Bhog’ was offered to the deities.‘Pahandi’ of the deities commenced at 9.00 am.
The state government has made all arrangements keeping in view the heatwave conditions. Water sprinkling is being done by the fire service personnel. Sufficient drinking water facilities, including the distribution of water bottles, have been made for the devotees, officials said.
Tight security arrangements have been made in and around Puri town for the festival. The pilgrim town has been divided into 14 zones and 29 sectors.
About 180 platoons of police personnel have been deployed in and around Puri town.
For the first time, a Coast Guard helicopter has been deployed to patrol the beach. Interceptor boats stationed at Paradip are ready for any contingency till July 2.
The Railways have installed face recognising cameras on the railway platforms to screen any suspicious person.
A large number of CCTV cameras assisted by drone cameras are connected to a number of control stations installed for the Rath Yatra.
Under a special mobility plan, an advisory on vehicular movement to Puri has been issued.
All inter-state tourist buses and local tourist buses are parked at the Malatipatpur bus stand. Other daily passenger-carrying buses are allowed up to Talabania temporary bus stand via Malatipatapur railway over bridge, Toshali Sands, Grid Station Chhak, and Bhudan Chhaka.
The vehicles on the Bhubaneswar-Puri route and Konark are allowed to park near grid substation and Talabania area while vehicles coming from Brahmagiri are parked in the Florence India Garden parking space.
Puri town shuttle buses/auto-rickshaws will be allowed from Talabania to Zilla School Chhaka.
Two-wheelers will avail of parking at Jagannath Ballav, Masanichandi, Matitota parking, Nilachala Ashok and Blue Flag Beach.
All Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) like cars and SUVs can avail parking facilities at the parking places at indoor stadium, helipad, Sanskrit University parking, ID College Parking, Nalifield and Yatrika.
For smooth darshan of the Lords by devotees, some shuttle services have been rolled out from Talabania to Zilla School Chhaka and From Malatipatapur to Atharanala.
Besides, the areas from Atharanala Chhaka to Hospital Chhaka and from Hospital Chhaka to Subash Bose Crossing have been announced as no-vehicle zones.
The regulation of vehicles will remain effective till midnight Tuesday.
PNN & Agencies