Odisha govt seeks information from public on Puri stampede
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Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Enhanced security to control crowd during Suna Besha in Puri
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The state govt has put in place extensive arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of "Suna Besha" (golden appearance) ceremony on Sunday. During this significant Rath Yatra festival, the divine siblings — gods Jagannath, Balabhadra, and goddess Subhadra — will be adorned in gold ornaments while seated on their chariots before the Jagannath Temple. Given the expected massive weekend turnout, police authorities have enhanced security, crowd management and traffic control measures. Police face a crucial challenge following the tragic deaths of three devotees in a stampede near the Gundicha Temple last Sunday (June 29), the third day of Rath Yatra. The security deployment includes a staggering 205 police platoons to maintain order, with five platoons specifically assigned to safeguard the deities' gold ornaments on the chariots. DGP Y B Khurania stated, "We request devotees to follow our advisories and maintain discipline and order during the darshan period. Like Rath Yatra and Bahuda, we will use drones and AI-powered cameras to control crowds and regulate traffic. Adequate parking lots have been created in and around Puri." While the precise weight of gold adorning the deities remains unverified by temple authorities, sources indicate about 40 to 50 kg of gold ornaments are traditionally used annually for the Suna Besha ceremony. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Global Indices Are on the Move — Time to Trade! IC Markets Learn More Undo According to a 1978 inventory, the Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar (treasury) contains 128 kg gold and 221 kg silver. Besides, about 30 kg gold donated by devotees have been deposited in banks, sources in the temple stated. The Suna Besha tradition linked to the Jagannath Temple is believed to have commenced during King Kapilendra Deb's reign in 1460. Following his victory over another ruler, he transported substantial gold to Puri on 16 elephants, offering it to the Jagannath Temple. This annual celebration continues on Asadha Sukla Ekadasi Tithi. "The deities will wear gold crowns and ornaments on their hands and feet. Lord Jagannath holds a golden chakra in his right hand and silver conch in his left. Lord Balabhadra carries a golden plough in his left hand and gold mace in his right. Devi Subhadra wears different ornaments," a temple official said. Various servitor groups, including Palia Puspalak, Bhitarchha Mohapatra, Taluchha Mohapatra, Daitapatis, Khuntia and Mekap Sevaks, are responsible for adorning the deities on the chariots.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Vacant Gundicha Templa waits for sibling deities for a year
Bhubaneswar: The Gundicha Temple in Puri has fallen silent, returning to solitude as the sibling deities — gods Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra — departed for their main abode, Jagannath Temple, during Saturday's Bahuda Yatra. The Gundicha shrine, believed to be the deities' birthplace, will remain vacant until next year's Rath Yatra. "This remarkable temple holds a unique distinction, as it's presumably the only shrine where the sanctum sanctorum remains vacant (without any deity) except for about a week when the divine siblings visit their birthplace during Rath Yatra," said Binayak Dasmohapatra, a senior servitor of the Jagannath Temple. "Only a humble earthen lamp continues to illuminate their consecrated podium at Gundicha Temple following their departure," said Dasmohapatra. This usually quiet temple transformed into a vibrant and bustling spiritual centre, hosting 25 daily rituals and serving Mahaprasad to countless devotees, akin to the Jagannath temple, ever since the deities arrived on June 28 a day after Rath Yatra. Although the temple will remain without its principal deities for worship, pilgrims maintain unrestricted access to the sacred premises. On normal days, the temple receives about 200 devotees. The architectural marvel stands within an extensively landscaped garden, earning its endearing nickname as the Lord's "garden house". The garden is home to diverse vegetation, including coconut palms, magnificent mango trees, medicinal neem trees, and aromatic plants such as sacred "tulasi", fragrant roses, and jasmine. The entire temple complex is encompassed by a boundary wall measuring 430 feet in length, 320 feet in breadth, and reaching a height of 20 feet. Local devotees expressed profound emotional attachment and a sense of emptiness following the deities' departure. "The void becomes palpable after the Bahuda Yatra. This year's farewell carries additional emotional weight due to the unprecedented and tragic stampede incident on June 29, which claimed three precious lives outside the Gundicha Temple. Such a heartbreaking occurrence was previously unheard of at this sacred site, which remains intrinsically connected to Jagannath culture during the Rath Yatra," said Sovan Pattnaik, a local devotee. The temple's historical and spiritual significance is deeply rooted in various legendary narratives, particularly highlighting Queen Gundicha's unwavering devotion to Lord Jagannath. Somanath Pujapanda, a Jagannath researcher, said, "Multiple fascinating legends surround the Gundicha temple's origins. One prominent narrative recounts how Queen Gundicha, wife of King Indradyumna, demonstrated exceptional devotion to Lord Jagannath. Moved by her profound dedication, the Lord promised to visit her residence during the Ratha Yatra. Another legend designates this sacred space as the birthplace of the divine siblings." Recent renovations have enhanced the shrine's exterior appearance with stone-cladding, landscaping, and improved lighting. "With conclusion of Rath Yatra, the Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Limited will undertake comprehensive renovation inside Gundicha temple, including improvements to the kitchen and Nata Mandap. Murals highlighting Jagannath culture will be crafted on walls inside the shrine," said Arabinda Kumar Padhee, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Sibling deities return amid sea of devotees
1 2 Bhubaneswar: A wave of spiritualism swept Puri as the divine siblings Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra received a ceremonial send-off by lakhs of devotees on the occasion of Bahuda Yatra on Saturday, marking the deities' return journey to Jagannath Temple from their birthplace at Gundicha Temple. The deities, who had embarked on their annual journey to Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra on June 27, will be escorted from their chariots to Jagannath temple during Niladri Bije on July 8. The successful completion of Bahuda came as a huge relief to the govt, particularly after the June 29 stampede in which three devotees lost their lives. "By god's grace and support of everyone, the Bahuda Yatra passed off peacefully and smoothly," said DGP Y B Khurania. According to sources in Puri district headquarters hospital, some devotees received first-aid after they were fell sick due to suffocation in the teeming crowds. Another devotee, Lambodar Prusty (53), was admitted to the hospital with leg injuries that he sustained during pulling of Lord Jagannath's chariot. The Bahuda Yatra focused on implementing lessons learnt from mistakes during Rath Yatra through enhanced crowd management and timely completion of rituals, including 'Pahandi' and chariot pulling. The chariot pulling commenced at 2.50 pm, much ahead of the scheduled 4 pm. The chariots reached near Jagannath Temple in the evening, compared to their two-day Gundicha-bound journey during Rath Yatra. Police prioritised crowd control and chariot pulling procedures, following criticism over difficulties in pulling Lord Jagannath's chariot during Rath Yatra due to crowd management issues. Bahuda celebration mirrored Rath Yatra's vibrance and grandeur, with Puri experiencing massive crowds. Devotees pulled the chariots along the 3-km Grand Road to the tunes of cymbals, gongs, and flutes filling the air. The overcast conditions and light rainfall favoured the large gathering of devotees." "It was an emotional moment while bidding adieu to the deities until next year. We had a smooth darshan on chariots," said Anamika Biswas, a devotee from West Bengal. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted the arrangements that resulted in smooth conduct of Bahuda Yatra. "For the peaceful and orderly darshan, a green corridor was arranged for smooth movement of ambulances on Grand Road. Keeping safety in mind, over 25,000 security personnel have been deployed. Adequate traffic police have been stationed to manage traffic. To make the union between devotees and the Lord memorable and unique, the government made all necessary arrangements. The people's chief minister himself was overseeing it," read a post on X by the chief minister's office.
