The Business Bytes
BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 16, 2024 (TBB BUREAU):
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted a review on Sunday to assess the preparations for the upcoming annual Rath Yatra celebrations of the Trinity in Puri scheduled for July.
During the meeting, state Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Director General of Police Arun Kumar Sarangi, and Director of Intelligence Saumendra Priyadarsi briefed CM Majhi on the arrangements for the Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra rituals. They discussed the preparations made so far to ensure the smooth conduct of these significant festivals.
The Snana Yatra, also known as ‘Devasnana Purnima’, is the sacred bathing ritual of Lord Jagannath and His sibling deities.
“The Chief Minister was thoroughly briefed about the procedures for the rituals and the logistical arrangements for the grand Rath Yatra festival by Chief Secretary Jena, DGP Sarangi, and Director of Intelligence Priyadarsi. The government will hold further meetings with the sevayats (temple servitors) and other stakeholders in the coming days to ensure the festival runs smoothly this year,” stated Harichandan.
Regarding the influx of devotees following the reopening of the four entrance gates at the Jagannath Temple, Harichandan mentioned that no major issues have been reported at the 12th-century shrine despite the large crowds, which were attributed to consecutive holidays.
He assured that all arrangements at the shrine would soon be streamlined to accommodate the increased number of visitors efficiently.
