Puri: The holy town of Puri is completely transformed today as millions of devotees gather for the annual Rath Jatra festival, which commences this morning under tight administrative vigil.
On the religious front, the highly anticipated pulling of the three majestic wooden chariots is scheduled to begin following the completion of sacred morning rituals. The processional deities, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, are being ceremonially shifted out of the sanctum sanctorum in the grand Pahandi ritual. Devotees will pull the distinct chariots—Nandighosha for Lord Jagannatha, Taladhwaja for Lord Balabhadra, and Darpadalan for Devi Subhadra—along the Grand Road toward the Shree Gundicha Temple, marking their annual nine-day stay at their aunt’s abode.
Administratively, the Odisha Government and Puri District authorities have deployed an extensive multi-tier security blanket across the town to ensure public safety and smooth crowd management. Thousands of police personnel, quick reaction teams, and medical units are stationed along the Grand Road and key entry points.
Adding to the administrative challenge, the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Puri, warning of extremely heavy rainfall due to a well-marked low-pressure system over the coast. In response, disaster response teams and municipal civic bodies have been placed on high alert to handle potential waterlogging, while medical personnel are equipped to manage rain-related contingencies along the grand corridor. Devotees are being continuously advised via public address systems to follow safety protocols amid the downpour.
To manage the massive influx of pilgrims under these weather conditions, the Odisha Police has implemented a tech-driven traffic management plan. A total of 30 designated parking zones have been established across the town, accommodating over 7,700 four-wheelers, 15,000 two-wheelers, and 750 buses, utilizing newly added sites like Samanga and Shree Setu to ease congestion. A strict 24-hour no-vehicle zone has been enforced along the entire Grand Road and its intersecting routes.
The security apparatus is heavily relying on modern surveillance, using 244 CCTV cameras and drones at strategic locations alongside artificial intelligence-based traffic tracking systems. For the first time, real-time traffic updates and congestion alerts are being sent directly to visitors via bulk SMS services, specifically targeting high-traffic corridors like Malatipatpur and Batgaon.
Furthermore, digital LED display units are operating along key transit routes like the Uttara-Lingipur corridor to provide live route diversions. Special model traffic aid posts have also been set up at Talabania and Malatipatpur, offering resting areas and essential drinking water facilities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities navigating the mega event.