The highly rated and majestic 135th Jagannath Rath Yatra begins in Puri on Thursday. Under the serious threats from extremist groups and heavy security arrangements the Rath yatra started.
It is said in reports that more than 10 lakh devotees are likely to take part in the colourful festival.
The three big chariots of Lord Jagannath were made after the hard work of two months in Puri. However, Jaya Devi, 74-years-old didn’t able to walk due to weakness, but that did not stop her traveling from al the way from Nayagarh, carried physically by her grandson, just to get a glipmse of Lord Jagannath.
Talking to media, Jaya Devi said, “My legs are not working but I always come to have a darshan of the Lord on Rath Yatra. That gives me lot of peace and satisfaction. I forget my pain after coming here.”
Priest on Jagannath Chariot, Ramchandra Dasmahapatra said, “It is believed that those who witness the Jagannath Rath Yatra are freed from the cycle of birth and death and attain salvation.”
High security has been ordered in the area allover after some reports from intelligence agencies. Around 10 lakh devotees are expected to come to visit the Yatra.
Further, reports have said that around eight thousand police guards have been deployed in Puri including coast guard patrols off the coast.
Talking to media, SP of Puri, Anup Sahoo said, “Yes, the threat perception is real and we are fully prepared to face any such untoward incidents.”
In last four years of the Jagannath Rath Yatra, three incidents have been reported which left eight people dead.
But, this year, the Puri district administration has taken complicated precautionary measure have been taken to prevent such untoward incidents. The nine-day rath yatra will end on June 29.
