PURI: Torrential rain lashed Puri on Wednesday but neither the downpour nor the forecast of more showers over the next three days could dampen the spirit of devotees converging on the holy town for the annual Rath Yatra on Thursday.
The pilgrim town received at least 168 mm of rainfall since Tuesday night, inundating several low-lying areas. Anticipating further heavy rain, the district administration ordered the closure of schools. Yet, all roads led to the abode of Lord Jagannath as lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad arrived by trains, buses and private vehicles to witness the grand chariot festival.
On Wednesday, Pujapanda servitors ceremonially handed over the Ajnamallyas (divine permissions) to the Bishwakarmas of the three chariots. Subsequently, police personnel and devotees pulled the chariots one after another from the construction yard to their designated positions in front of the Lion’s Gate of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple.
According to the schedule, the deities will be escorted to their respective chariots in the ceremonial Pahandi procession between 8 am and 11.30 am on Thursday. Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb will perform the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm. After the wooden horses are attached to the chariots and the ladders removed, the much-awaited pulling of the chariots will begin at 4 pm.
On the day, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated a digital hundi on the premises of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and later called on Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati.
Leaving nothing to chance, the Odisha government has deployed around 12,000 security personnel, including contingents of the BSF, CRPF, RAF, anti-drone units, snipers and NSG commandos, to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
The Coast Guard and Marine Police are patrolling the coastline, while 473 AI-powered CCTV cameras, integrated with drone-jamming systems, are monitoring the Grand Road and adjoining areas through two command-and-control centres located at either end of the Badadanda.
To manage the massive influx of pilgrims, the administration has created 36 parking zones for two- and four-wheelers across the town. More than 500 lifeguards and fire services personnel have been deployed along the beach to prevent drowning incidents.
The Health department has also made elaborate arrangements by deploying hundreds of doctors and paramedics. A total of 268 additional indoor beds along with dedicated facilities for treating sunstroke and burn injuries have been kept ready.
The Gundicha Temple has received a vibrant makeover with artistic decorations, traditional Jhoti artwork and decorative illumination, adding to the festive ambience. Railway accommodation for around 25,000 pilgrims is almost fully occupied, while most households in the town are hosting visiting devotees.
Even as preparations gathered momentum, incessant rain kept civic agencies on their toes. Fire Services and Public Health Engineering personnel worked throughout the day to drain water from flooded pockets, though almost all low-lying slum areas remained waterlogged.
