Puri: As lakhs of devotees converged on Puri on Thursday to witness the annual Rath Yatra, an unusual commodity became almost as sought-after as hotel rooms in the pilgrim town, the rooftops overlooking the Grand Road.With the three majestic chariots rolling along the Bada Danda amid surging crowds, devotees increasingly opted for elevated vantage points that offered unobstructed views of the procession while sparing them the ordeal of navigating dense crowds at ground level.Private houses, commercial buildings and lodges lining the Grand Road opened up access to rooftops and balconies for a fee, while local tour operators packaged these spaces with luxury accommodation, refreshments, meals, premium rooftop seating and air-conditioned transfers to the venue, among other amenities.However, these exclusive viewing points came at a steep price, with packages ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000. Stakeholders in the hospitality and travel sector said a luxury property in Puri had introduced a Rath Yatra package priced at Rs 78,000 per person. The package included a two-night stay, access to a premium rooftop viewing area offering unobstructed views of devotees pulling the chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra along the Grand Road, besides a host of other amenities.The demand for such vantage points was so high that several travel operators, including a Mumbai-based travel agency, had booked rooftops and viewing galleries along the Grand Road nearly three months in advance to cater to their clients during the festival.“People are not just booking accommodation; they are looking for a curated Rath Yatra experience. Demand for rooftop viewing spaces has been exceptionally high this year, and we have ensured a premium hospitality experience for our guests,” said Amrita Maheshwari, proprietor of a Mumbai-based tour agency.Puri-based travel and tour operator Yugabrat Kar said there are only a handful of buildings left along the Grand Road from where devotees can get a clear view of the major Rath Yatra rituals following the redevelopment of the area under the Parikrama project.“Most of the premium rooftop viewing points are taken over by the district administration for official use, while some are reserved by OTDC for its guests. As a result, very few good vantage points remain available in the open market. The remaining spaces are sold for anywhere between Rs 6,000 and Rs 15,000 per person, depending on the proximity to the chariots, and this usually includes only the seat,” he said.Kar said the much higher prices are charged by a few premium hotels located along the Grand Road, which bundle rooftop access with two or three-night accommodation packages priced between Rs 60,000 and Rs 70,000.“These packages generally offer guests a view of the chariots as they pass by the property, but they do not necessarily provide visibility of all the rituals associated with the Rath Yatra,” he added.The premium rooftop experience found takers among both domestic and overseas visitors, with tour operators saying devotees from different parts of India as well as NRIs had booked packages months ahead of the festival. “Many visitors are willing to pay for a comfortable and exclusive view of the chariots. For them, it is a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience,” said Hemant Ghodbole, another tour operator associated with the bookings.“We had reserved space for 30 people and almost all slots were sold out within a short period. Demand far exceeded our expectations,” he added.“I came to Puri to witness Rath Yatra, but watching the chariots from a comfortable vantage point on the Bada Danda has made the experience even more special. I am happy to be part of it,” said Yogesh Chitgaonkar, a visitor from Nagpur.
