BHUBANESWAR: Amid chants of “Jai Jagannath”, the sound of conch shells and a sea of devotees, the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra began in Odisha‘s Puri on Thursday, with lakhs of pilgrims gathering to witness one of India’s largest and most revered religious festivals. The grand procession saw Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra set out on their sacred journey from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple aboard their towering wooden chariots.The centuries-old festival marks the only occasion in the year when the sibling deities leave the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple and come out among devotees, allowing people from all walks of life to seek their blessings. Thousands of devotees pulled the elaborately decorated chariots along the Grand Road amid devotional songs, drumbeats and religious fervour.With millions of pilgrims expected during the festival, authorities have put in place elaborate security and crowd-management arrangements across Puri. More than 13,000 police personnel, supported by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), have been deployed, while AI-enabled CCTV cameras, drones and hundreds of surveillance cameras are monitoring the procession route.Traffic diversions, designated parking areas, evacuation zones and LED screens displaying real-time advisories have also been put in place to ensure the smooth movement of devotees.The administration is also keeping a close watch on the weather after the India Meteorological Department forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Puri during the festival. Dewatering pumps have been deployed along the Grand Road to prevent waterlogging and ensure the uninterrupted movement of the chariots.The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration said all rituals would be conducted as per schedule, with only authorised servitors allowed on the chariots during the ceremonial Pahandi ritual.To facilitate the movement of pilgrims, Indian Railways has introduced special train services on multiple routes, including between Jagdalpur and Puri and Rayagada and Puri.Beyond Odisha, Rath Yatra celebrations are also being held across the country. Gujarat is hosting more than 200 processions, with Ahmedabad’s 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra—the second-largest after Puri—witnessing elaborate security, traffic and emergency arrangements for devotees along its 16-km route.
