By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/PURI: An unprecedented crowd nearing more than 15 Lakhs , were on Friday thronged to Odisha’s pilgrimage city of Puri to witnessed the world famous Rath Yatra of Shree Lord Jagannath and his siblings
Earlier, ‘Bada Thakuara’ Lord Balabhadra was the first to be escorted out of the sanctum sanctorum of Srimandir, followed by Devi Subhadra, Lord Sudarshan and Lord Jagannath, in a grand procession of Dhadi Pahandi. Pahandi of all deities was completed by around 9 am. Later, the deities were seated atop of their respective chariots–Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana.
More than 185 platoons of armed police personnel, including 1,000 officers of various ranks are deployed in and around Puri to ensure safe conduct of the festival.
The Railways engaged scores of armed policemen while several CCTV cameras have been installed at various places.
The deities will return to Sri Mandir after completion of the nine-day yatra called ‘Bahuda Jatra’. The State Administration has made elaborate arrangements for smooth and peaceful conduct of the festival.
