Torrential rain did not deter the spirit of lakhs of devotees who participated in the annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, Odisha. Despite the downpour, devotees gathered along the Grand Road, holding umbrellas, chanting ‘Jai Jagannath’ and ‘Hari Bol,’ and dancing joyously. The festival commenced with the Pahandi Bije ritual of the divine siblings and other deities, starting earlier than scheduled.
The holy siblings and other deities were escorted from the Shree Jagannath Temple to their decorated chariots in a grand procession. Traditional musical instruments like gong, trumpet, and telingi baja added to the divine ambiance. Priests chanted Vedic hymns, while Odissi artists performed dance rituals to welcome the deities on their journey to the Gundicha Temple.
Despite an early start, the Pahandi Bije rituals faced a delay of over two hours. Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, accompanied by his disciples, performed puja on the chariots. Puri King Gajapati Maharaja Dibya Singha Deb, the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, conducted prayers and ceremonially swept the chariots with a golden broom.
Elaborate arrangements were made by the district administration and the state housing department to manage stormwater in waterlogging-prone areas of Puri. Over 13,000 police personnel, supported by Central Armed Police Forces, were deployed for security during the festival. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy were on alert to prevent illegal activities via the coastal route.
Nineteen senior IPS officers were tasked with overseeing the comprehensive security arrangements for the Rath Yatra festival in Puri.
