Preparations for the ceremonial return of the chariots, Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana, are also in full swing, as thousands gathered along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to witness the divine procession.
Puri has deployed 205 platoons for the Bahuda Yatra on July 5, 2025, as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra return to Jagannath Temple, ensuring a secure and peaceful festival, says DGP Yogesh Khurania.
Police presence has been enhanced, particularly outside the Shri Gundicha Temple, where nearly 10,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of the massive gathering of devotees.
The coastal town of Puri is alive with devotion and cultural fervour as preparations peak for the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Jagannath Temple from Shri Gundicha Temple on Saturday.
The Odisha Congress in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu criticised the assult on Ratnakar Sahoo, Additional Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) by the Bharatiya Janta Party leader Jagannath Pradhan and said that Odisha is turning into "Jungle Raj".
In the case of assault on Ratnakar Sahoo, Additional Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan surrendered in the DCP office, Bhubaneswar, and subsequently got arrested by the police.
The cabinet has approved a budget of Rs 882.78 crore for the construction of the temple at Punaura Dham, which is considered to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita, the wife of Ram.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, along with his wife Dr Priti Adani and son Karan Adani, visited the Adani-ISKCON kitchens set up during the Jagannath Puri Ratha Yatra and the Kumbh Mela, where they joined volunteers in kitchen service.
Biiju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Lenin Mohanty on Monday lashed out at the "administrative lapse and callousness" of the concerned authorities which led to the stampede during the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra a day earlier on June 29 and demanded the resignation of State Law Minister Prithviraj
Officials said a structured queue system has been implemented for devotees, and senior officials have been deployed both inside and outside the Jagannath Temple to ensure smooth movement and overall safety.
Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jagat Singh Negi on Monday held a special review meeting with senior officials to assess the situation arising from landslides, road blockages, and disruption of power and water supply across the state.
Congress MP Randeep Surjewala slammed the BJP government over the issue of the Jagannath Puri stampede and asked when the "VIP syndrome" in the country will cease.