Latest Puri News & Updates

Bhubaneswar, July 24 (IANS) The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday targeted the Odisha government over the reported death of a devotee during the Bahuda Yatra in Puri, alleging that the incident reflected continued administrative failure in managing the annual Rath Yatra festivities and ensuring the safety of lakhs of pilgrims. In a statement, BJD Vice‑President and former minister Sanjay Kumar Das Burma expressed grief over the reported death of 57‑year‑old Abhiram Das of Kataka, who alleged…

Bhubaneswar, July 24 (IANS) A devotee reportedly died due to suffocation while several others were hospitalised during the Bahuda Yatra (return journey) of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and the celestial weapon Chakraraj Sudarshan in the holy coastal town of Puri, Odisha, on Friday. According to reports, the deceased was identified as Abhiram Das (57) from Kataka district. However, the state government has yet to confirm the death officially.Sources said the devotee suddenly fel…

Bhubaneswar, July 24 (IANS) Lakhs of devotees thronged the coastal town of Puri in Odisha as the Bahuda Yatra commenced on Friday with the Pahandi Bije rituals of Lord Jagannath, elder brother Lord Balabhadra, sister Devi Subhadra, and the celestial weapon Chakraraj Sudarshan.The Bahuda Yatra marks the deities’ return journey from the Gundicha Temple back to the Shree Jagannath Temple after their nine-day sojourn.The holy triad was brought to their respective chariots from Gundicha Temple or Ada…

Bhubaneswar, July 22 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday directed officials to emphasise effective crowd management and seamless information flow during the upcoming Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and other deities to the Shree Jagannath Temple, scheduled to be held on July 24 in Puri. Bahuda Yatra is one of the most significant events of the annual Rath Yatra festival, during which lakhs of devotees pull the chariots o…

Bhubaneswar, July 20 (IANS) The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday demanded a judicial inquiry into the deaths of devotees during the Rath Yatra in Puri on July 16, holding the BJP-led government in Odisha entirely responsible for this tragic incident. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar, State BJD Vice President and former Minister Sanjay Kumar Das Burma and party Media Coordinator and Spokesperson Dr Lenin Mohanty alleged that the state government had…

Bhubaneswar, July 20 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of the two devotees who died during this year’s Rath Yatra in Puri on July 16. The decision was announced through a post on the official X handle of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).“Chief Minister @MohanMOdisha has expressed deep grief over the demise of Anil Das of Kataka and Ashok Subare Raikar of Mumbai, who passed away while undergoing treatment after …

New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Odisha’s coastline is set to witness a major transformation with the construction of the new 160.18 km Rameshwar–Paradeep Coastal Highway project to be developed by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) with a total capital cost of Rs 8,300.79 crore, according to an official factsheet issued on Sunday.Designed to provide faster, safer and smoother travel, the project includes a 4-lane access-controlled highway from Rameshwar to Konark and a 2-lane hi…

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Lakhs of devotees continued to throng Puri in Odisha on Saturday to offer prayers and have darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, who are seated on their majestic chariots in front of the Gundicha Temple as part of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra.Thousands of pilgrims from across the country and abroad gathered at the pilgrimage town to witness the divine darshan of the sibling deities and participate in one of India’s most revered religious …

Bhubaneswar, July 17 (IANS) The Director General of Police (DGP), Odisha Police, Y.B. Khurania, on Friday advised aged devotees and those not keeping well to avoid visiting Puri during the ongoing Rath Yatra, citing the massive influx of pilgrims to the holy coastal town. Speaking to media persons, Khurania also appealed to devotees not to bring children under 1 and 2 years of age when coming to Puri for the darshan of the holy siblings, stressing that the advisory was issued in the interest of …

Bhubaneswar, July 17 (IANS) A political slugfest broke out on Friday as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition — Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress — traded charges over the alleged mismanagement during the Rath Yatra in Puri on Thursday. On Friday, the main opposition BJD once again targeted the state government, alleging serious lapses in the conduct of the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri.Senior BJD leader Pramila Mallik said the unfortunate incidents during the Rath Yatr…