State Govt Focuses on Security, Ritual Timings Ahead of Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar: With preparations for the annual Rath Yatra gathering pace, the Odisha government on Friday held a high-level coordination meeting to streamline arrangements for the smooth conduct of Lord Jagannath’s world-famous chariot festival and related rituals in Puri.

Chairing the review meeting at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said every ritual associated with Lord Jagannath carries immense emotional and spiritual significance for devotees across Odisha and around the world, making flawless coordination among all stakeholders essential.

The minister stressed that the successful organisation of key rituals and events — from Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra to Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, Adharapana and Niladri Bije — requires collective responsibility and disciplined execution by all departments and participating bodies.

Officials from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri district administration, police authorities, Daitapati Nijog and various temple servitor groups attended the meeting and reviewed preparedness for the mega festival.

Discussions focused on ensuring strict adherence to ritual timings, smooth conduct of Pahandi and Rath Tana rituals, crowd regulation, orderly darshan arrangements and strengthening security measures at sensitive points across the pilgrim town.

The meeting also reviewed plans for barricading, traffic regulation and public convenience measures for the lakhs of devotees expected to gather in Puri during the festival period. Officials emphasised the need for better coordination between servitors, police personnel and administrative agencies to avoid disruptions during major rituals.

SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee informed the meeting that preparations for chariot construction and procurement of essential ritual materials, including wood, ropes, chariot cloth, incense and sandalwood, are progressing as per schedule.

The government also stressed the importance of advance awareness and communication regarding ritual schedules and responsibilities among servitors, nijog members and officials engaged in festival management.

Among others present were Law Department Principal Secretary Pavitra Mohan Samal, Puri Collector Divyajyoti Parida, Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh and senior members of the Daitapati Nijog, including president Ganesh Das Mahapatra and general secretary Ramakrushna Das Mahapatra.