Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra set to start from June 27, preparations in full swing

Preparations are in full swing in Puri, Odisha, for the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the most prominent Hindu festivals, scheduled to commence on June 27. The Return Car Festival, or 'Bahuda Jatra', is slated for July 5, marking the deities' return to the Jagannath Temple after a week-long stay at the Gundicha Temple. The construction of the three gigantic wooden chariots for Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Goddess Subhadra is in its final phase, with dedicated craftspeople working tirelessly to ensure their readiness.

A worker involved in the chariot construction expressed pride in their annual tradition, stating, "The last phase of work is being done. The decoration of the Ratha is being done. Our hardwork will succeed when Mahaprabhu will be seated in it." The chariots, built anew each year, will carry the Holy Trinity, drawn by thousands of devotees along the 'Bada Danda' (Grand Road) to the Gundicha Temple. This procession symbolizes the deities' journey to their aunt's house, a unique aspect of the festival.

Adding to the preparedness, a multi-agency mock drill was conducted earlier on Friday at Dharamshala in front of Shri Jagannath Temple. Puri Superintendent of Police Vineet Agarwal confirmed that 11 agencies participated in the anti-terror intervention exercise, evaluating the readiness and coordination of security forces for any potential emergency. This security drill, along with the recent sacred bathing ritual of the deities on Snana Purnima on Wednesday, underscores the extensive measures taken to ensure a safe and grand celebration for devotees from across the globe.