Bhubaneswar, June 26: The sacred town of Puri is all set to host the auspicious Rath Yatra festival-2025 tomorrow, this Friday, with the entire administrative machinery working tirelessly to ensure that the annual mega event unfolds seamlessly and safely.
As the world-renowned chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra draws near, lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to converge on the temple town to witness the majestic spectacle. Because of the massive turnout, both civil and police administrations have been put on high alert, leaving no stone unturned in their preparedness and security arrangements.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee assured the public that meticulous preparations have been completed and that the district administration is fully geared up to conduct the Yatra without any hindrance.
“By the divine grace of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, we are fully prepared to conduct a smooth and spiritually uplifting Rath Yatra on Friday. We are receiving wholehearted cooperation from the temple servitors, and all logistical, ceremonial, and security arrangements are firmly in place to make this grand event a success,” said Padhee.
The administration has laid special emphasis on crowd control, emergency response systems, sanitation, and transport management. Multiple coordination meetings have been held between the SJTA, district officials, police, health department, fire services, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless coordination during the three-kilometer procession from the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
The entire city has been brought under a multi-layered security blanket, with CCTV surveillance, drone monitoring, and deployment of thousands of police personnel, including specialized units for crowd management and anti-sabotage activities.
Devotees, spiritual seekers, and tourists are expected to throng the Bada Danda (Grand Road) to catch a glimpse of the sacred deities riding their gigantic wooden chariots, an age-old tradition that reflects the cultural and religious fervor of Odisha.
With faith in divine blessings and the administration’s proactive planning, Puri readies itself for yet another historic chapter in its timeless celebration of devotion and tradition.
