Ahead of Bahuda Yatra, Sudarsan Pattnaik creates sand sculpture in Puri
Preparations for the ceremonial return of the chariots, Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana, are also in full swing, as thousands gathered along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to witness the divine procession.
Girijashankar Sarangi, a devotee, shared the significance of the occasion: 'Mahaprabhu was born here at Gundicha Temple... Today, after nine days of celebrations, Mahaprabhu will be heading home. On the way, Mahaprabhu's chariot will stop at the Mausi Maa temple, where he will be offered poda pitha, and it will then be distributed as prasad among devotees. The procession will then proceed to the Shri Jagannath Temple.'
Meanwhile, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Khurania expressed confidence in the peaceful conduct of the grand festival amid heightened security deployment.
'There is a lot of enthusiasm among the devotees who have gathered in large numbers. The administration has made an elaborate arrangement. About 205 platoons of police have been deployed, and senior officers are also present to monitor the entire arrangement. The entire town of Puri is under CCTV surveillance, and everything is being monitored from the control room,' Khurania told ANI.
Security arrangements have been significantly strengthened outside the Shri Gundicha Temple, also known as the Mausi Maa Temple.
Police presence has been enhanced, particularly outside the Shri Gundicha Temple, where nearly 10,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of the massive gathering of devotees.
Speaking to ANI, Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra said extensive security measures are in place for the smooth conduct of the return chariot festival.
He said, 'More than 10000 police personnel have been deployed... We have around eight companies of the RAF.'
'We have made elaborate police arrangements. Today, we are also expecting huge crowds of devotees who will join in this festival. Ensuring the safety of all devotees is our priority,' he added.
Mishra highlighted that the annual festival is celebrated through the coordinated efforts of multiple stakeholders.
'This festival is celebrated with the coordination of many stakeholders. We are closely in touch with all the Sevayats, temple authorities, and the district administration,' he added.
The coastal town of Puri is alive with devotion and cultural fervour as preparations peak for the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Jagannath Temple from Shri Gundicha Temple on Saturday.
This marks the culmination of the annual Rath Yatra festival, drawing lakhs of devotees to the sacred city. The streets of Puri buzz with vibrant performances as artists and devotees celebrate the occasion. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
20 minutes ago
- India Gazette
High alert in UP as Muharram and Kanwar Yatra coincide; authorities deploy drones, CCTV and extra forces
Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 6 (ANI): With Muharram processions and the ongoing Kanwar Yatra taking place across several districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Sambhal, Lucknow and Moradabad, the state administration has stepped up security measures to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incidents. A large number of people participated in the Muharram processions in various parts of the state. In view of the Kanwar Yatra happening at the same time, police forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, with drones and CCTV cameras monitoring the situation. Speaking to ANI, Sambhal District Magistrate Dr Rajender Pensiya said, 'We have held various peace committee meetings at the village, neighbourhood, and district levels. In these discussions, people from all sides were invited. All communities were called, and their issues related to electricity, water, and other problems were addressed... Clear instructions have been given to inform us if any issues arise.' He added, 'We have appointed magistrates at every location, accompanied by police officers. Any procession, whether for Kanwar Yatra or Muharram, will be conducted in a box format, with our officers stationed on all four sides. Continuous monitoring is also being carried out through drones. Currently, we have over 13,000 CCTV cameras integrated. All necessary arrangements are in place, and action is underway to ban more than 900 persons. Section 163 is in effect. We are confident that everything will be conducted peacefully.' In Lucknow, the police have taken extra precautions in the western zone, also known as Old Lucknow, which is considered highly sensitive during Muharram. DCP Lucknow West Vishwajeet Srivastava told ANI, 'During Muharram, Lucknow's western zone, also called Old Lucknow, remains highly sensitive. There is always a zonal sector system 24/7 here. Separate arrangements are made for the processions held in this area.' He explained that security during processions is arranged in three layers. 'The first moves with the procession in a box formation, the second handles route arrangements, and the third is stationed at key locations of the procession. CCTV cameras have been installed at 82 locations. Volunteers from the Civil Defence Organisation are also present. Three types of drones have been deployed. Our social media team is fully active, and we are in constant communication with religious leaders,' Srivastava added. In Moradabad, District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Singh said that police are alert and taking proactive steps to ensure that both Muharram and Kanwar Yatra take place peacefully. '...A Peace Committee meeting was held with the people, instructing them on Taziya's height and children's participation,' he said. DM Anuj also said that preparations for the Kanwar Yatra are in full swing. 'We are preparing for the Kanwar route. The road situation is good this time. We inspected it yesterday, and PWD and municipal bodies are working to resolve the remaining issues.' 'Cameras are being installed on the Kanwar Yatra route... Additionally, we have identified individuals who played negative roles during past events, and efforts are underway to ban them to maintain peace... DJs are also instructed to control their volume,' he added. (ANI)
India Gazette
21 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Life-convict out on bail in murder case arrested in rape case: Delhi Police
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): A life convict out on bail in a murder case has been arrested by Delhi Police in connection with a rape case registered last month at Patel Nagar police station, officials said on Sunday. The arrested accused, identified as Manjeet alias Manja (39), is a resident of Patel Nagar, Bahadurgarh in Haryana. According to the police, a complaint was received at the Patel Nagar Police Station on June 11 against the accused, Manjeet, in which the complainant levelled allegations of sexual offences. Acting on the complaint, a case was registered under sections 64(2), 127(3), 123, 308(2), 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation was initiated. The accused, Manjeet, was evading his arrest and fleeing from joining the investigation. However, using technical surveillance and field intelligence, the accused was located and arrested on July 3, the officials said. According to the police, Manjeet was previously convicted in a 2009 murder case in Haryana, where he, along with his associate Arun Dabas alias Bittu, killed another criminal. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 but was later granted bail by the High Court of Chandigarh in 2015. Despite being convicted, the accused remained involved in criminal activities and was also found involved in several other cases in Haryana, including those under murder, attempt to murder, and Arms Act. Further investigation is in progress to recover evidence and explore his links in other pending cases. (ANI)
India Gazette
21 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Delhi: Three nabbed for killing 40-year-old man during road rage
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): Three men have been arrested by Delhi Police in connection with the death of a tempo driver following a road rage incident in the Mori Gate area of the capital on June 30, officials said on Saturday. According to Delhi Police 'Gokran alias Raja, resident of Maharajpura, District Jalaun, UP, age 40 years (works as a labourer in Dilshad Garden, Delhi), reported in his complaint that on 30 June he and his associate, Bunty, resident of Mansarovar Park, Shahdara, Delhi, loaded a Bajaj Maxima three-wheeler with PVC wires and delivered the same at Naya Bazar, Sadar Bazar, Delhi.' An altercation broke out over alleged wrong-side and zigzag driving. During the scuffle, Bunty was physically assaulted, sustained severe injuries, and collapsed unconscious. The three assailants fled the scene as bystanders began to gather. Bunty was taken to a hospital by the complainant with help from the public but was declared dead. The police registered a case under Section 105/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at PS Kashmere Gate and initiated an investigation. CCTV footage from the area revealed that three men in an e-rickshaw stopped the tempo and assaulted both Gokran and Bunty. The attackers fled towards Yudhishthir Setu after the incident. Following the trail from multiple CCTV cameras, police tracked the suspects' movements, noting they had purchased liquor earlier that evening and de-boarded at Moti Gate. Photos extracted from the footage were shown to locals near Lahori Gate Chowk. On July 3, one of the accused, Ritesh Kumar (27), was identified and apprehended from a dry fruits shop in the area. Based on his confession, the remaining two accused--identified as Anil and Vicky--were arrested from their workplaces. All three men admitted during interrogation that they worked in a dry fruits shop near Lahori Gate and were returning home to Khajuri Khas and Mandoli after consuming alcohol when the altercation occurred. Ritesh confessed to slapping the complainant, while Anil and Vicky assaulted the tempo driver, causing him to fall unconscious. They fled after seeing a crowd gather, unaware that the incident had resulted in a death. Police confirmed that all three accused are now in custody and further investigation is underway. (ANI)
