Odisha: Preparations in full swing as Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra set to begin tomorrow

Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) [India], July 6 (ANI): With the annual Shri Jagannath Yatra just a day away, preparations are reaching their final stages to ensure a smooth and safe journey for the multitude of devotees expected to attend.
The grand Rath Yatra, commencing on Sunday, promises to draw lakhs of worshippers, eager to participate in one of the most revered and historic religious events in India.
According to Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, 24-hour control rooms and medical kits for devotees in every bus deployed for the Yatra will be arranged.
"Our department has implemented many programs for the Rath Yatra. There will be a control room operating 24 hours a day, and six cranes will be stationed at different locations. In case of vehicle breakdowns, we have coordinated with various companies to provide breakdown services. Additionally, every bus will have a medical kit," he said while speaking to ANI.
The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The festival, celebrated with great fanfare from New Zealand to London and South Africa, encompasses the onward journey of the Holy Trinity to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi's Temple, and culminates with the return journey after eight days.
In reality, the festival stretches from the day of Akshaya Tritiya (in April) and culminates with the return of the Holy Trinity to the Shree Mandir premises.
Meanwhile, Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain said on Wednesday that on the day of chariot pulling, President Droupadi Murmu will also visit.
"As you know, this year's Rath Yatra is unique because all three important rituals are occurring on the same day. It's both challenging and a matter of privilege. President Droupadi Murmu will visit Puri on the day of the chariot pull. All concerned departments are ready, and we have had several rounds of interdepartmental and coordination meetings," District Magistrate, Puri, told ANI.
He further mentioned that a 225-bed super speciality hospital has been set up at the two ends of the grand road for the Rath Yatra.
"Police deployment is massive. Around 28 parking places have been identified for people. Public amenities at transit points are also being planned so that visitors from different districts and states can have temporary resting places," he added.
As per the Railways Ministry, 315 special trains will run for the devotees of Lord Jagannath during the occasion.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier said, "For the auspicious occasion of the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, special arrangements are being made by the railways. To facilitate the devotees of Maha Prabhu from the different states of Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, at least 315 special trains will run, covering all parts of Odisha."
Meanwhile, preparations for the 53rd edition of the Rath Yatra festival at ISKCON Kolkata are in full swing.
The Yatra, which begins tomorrow, marks the 53rd edition of the iconic chariot festival, celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada Maharaj.
In a conversation with ANI, ISKCON Vice President Radharam Das spoke about the chariot to be used in the Yatra.

"After Puri, Kolkata Rath Yatra is the biggest Rath Yatra. More than 20 lakh people from all over the world participate in the 9-day festival. The three chariots are very special and their design is also completely different. The chariot of Baldev ji is the tallest, and its wheel is made of solid iron. For the last 46 years, that wheel has been rotating for Baldev ji, but it was damaged. So this time, we have installed new wheels," he said.
The festival's chariots, featuring Jagannath and Baladev, are 46 years old, with the latter standing at a height of 38 feet. The broken wheel of the chariot weighs 250 kg and has a diameter of 6 feet.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to inaugurate the Rath Yatra at the ISKCON temple located at 3C Albert Road, near Minto Park. (ANI)