Heightened Security in Puri as Bahuda Yatra Approaches

Security has been significantly increased in Puri as the Bahuda Yatra, marking the return of the deities to the Jagannath Temple, approaches. The police force has been thoroughly prepared, with advanced traffic and crowd control measures implemented to ensure a smooth procession.

Security has been significantly heightened in Puri ahead of the Bahuda Yatra, scheduled for Monday. This Yatra symbolizes the end of a nine-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra, as they return to the Jagannath Temple from the Sri Gundicha Temple in chariots pulled by devotees.

Odisha Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar assured that all arrangements, including CCTV surveillance, force deployment, traffic management, and crowd control, are in place. "We have thoroughly checked and rehearsed all our arrangements. With the blessings of god, we do not anticipate any issues," Kumar stated.

As devotees gather in Puri for the Bahuda Yatra, Kumar emphasized that traffic arrangements are the primary concern. "Entrance for normal devotees has been stopped. Our force deployment begins at 6 a.m., and we have implemented one of the finest traffic arrangements this year. Security has also been upgraded to ensure a smooth procession," he said. Kumar further noted that puja would be conducted, followed by Lord Jagannath's return to the temple.