The Hindu : State getting ready for `Rath Yatra'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 23, 2003

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Other States - Orissa

State getting ready for `Rath Yatra'

By Our Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR JUNE 22. Orissa is fast getting ready for the "Rath Yatra" (car festival) of Lord Jagannath on July 1.

While preparations are in full swing for the main festival in Puri, several other towns across the State are also preparing for the annual event.

Presiding over the festival preparatory committee meeting in Puri, the Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, instructed the district administration and the Government departments concerned to take all possible measures to make the festival a success.

More than six lakh people are expected to gather at the Grand Road in Puri on the "Rath Yatra" day to witness the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra from the main temple to the Gundicha temple.

The three chariots — Lord Jagannath's `Nandighosha', Lord Balabhadra's `Taladhwaja' and Devi Subhadra's `Darpadalana' — are getting ready. New chariots are constructed for the "Rath Yatra" every year.

Adequate security arrangements are being made to maintain law and order. A proper traffic management system is also being put in place.

The railway authorities are planning to run as many as 21 special trains to cope with the rush.

The health department is taking a series of precautionary measures to prevent outbreak of any epidemic during the festival. As many as 17 health centres will work in and around Puri to provide timely medical help to people.

The State Energy Minister, Suryanarayan Patra, has assured that there will be no shortage of power in Puri during the period.

Steps are also being taken to ensure availability of drinking water across the town. A number of voluntary agencies are also being involved in order to provide various assistance to the pilgrims.

Apart from Puri, the other towns that are getting ready for the yatra of various deities include Baripada, Jajpur, Balasore, and Kendrapara.

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