The Jagannath Rath Yatra is around the corner and the preparations for the same are in full swing. The yatra will commence on July 14 in Puri.
Starting from the Akshaya Tritiya, the preparations for the yatra had started in full swing. In order to ensure full security for the Yatra, around 8,000 police personnel have been deployed along with anti-bomb squad, ODRAF, and Rapid Action Force.
The Yatra showcases a chariot festival and there are lakhs and lakhs of devotees which are waiting to witness the proceedings of the festival. More than 1.5 lakh devotees are expected to grace the festivities.
With this Yatra, devotees believe they can be freed from the clutches of death and birth. It escalates the soul to another level, which is beyond the materialistic aspirations of the people. It permeates an optimistic aura and invokes positive feelings about people, self, and the entire Universe, thereby encouraging peace and harmony with one and all. The essence of the Yatra lies in seeking camaraderie with one and all.
Recently, the police had approached the Civil Aviation Ministry to declare Bada Danda (grand road) as a ‘No Flying Zone’, but the Union Civil Aviation repudiated the Ministry and did not declare Puri Grand Road as No Flying Zone.
Even the Coast Guard is making efforts to provide security on the coast. Not only this, even the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is gearing up to suffice security requirements at Puri and Bhubaneshwar railway stations.
The festivities will give devotees a much-awaited sight of the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baldev, and Subhadra. The scriptures of deities will be taken out as part of the grand procession from the ISKCON Jagannath temple Rajapur to Chandradaya temple at Mayapur. Deities Taladwaja of Lord Baldev, Devadanala of Subhadra Devi and Nandighosa of Lord Jagannath will be carried in their carts too.
