Stage Set for Lord's Homeward Journey

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

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Photos: Sampradaya Sun

Jun 28, 2012 — JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — With the shadow of stampede and terror threat looming large, it will be a test for the Puri district administration to ensure an incident-free Bahuda Yatra (return Car Festival) on Friday.

Keeping in mind the footfall of lakhs of pilgrims, police have enhanced security to thwart any possible terror attacks in the temple town. Around 107 platoons of police force have been deployed to maintain law and order. "We are alert to the intelligence reports on possible terror attacks. All arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of Bahuda Yatra," said Puri district SP Anup Kumar Sahoo. "We will adopt the same crowd management plan as we followed on Rath Yatra," Sahoo said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Odisha DGP Manmohan Praharaj sought people's cooperation to avoid any untoward incident. "People should keep an eye on movement of suspicious characters and inform us immediately," Praharaj said.

The Deities will set out from Gundicha temple on Their homeward journey, aboard Their respective chariots, returning to Jagannath Temple from where They departed on a nine-day outing on the occasion of Rath Yatra, June 21st.

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The temple administration has sought cooperation of priests of all nijogs (organizations) to complete the rituals and pull the chariots on time. On Rath Yatra, the chariots had failed to reach Gundicha temple, prompting the priests to resume chariot pulling the next day. "We will try our best to pull the chariot up to Jagannath Temple on Friday," a temple officer said.

On Rath Yatra day, it was alleged that the chariots could not reach Gundicha temple owing to technical problems. "The chariots have been properly examined. There is no physical snag on the carts," the officer said.

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To regulate traffic, the police claims to have made arrangements at different places. Every year pilgrims go through harrowing experiences due to traffic mismanagement. "We have identified several parking places in and around the town. Heavy vehicles would not be allowed to enter the town," a traffic cop said.