CM to review Rath Yatra preparation tomorrow, no VIP entry into Jagannath temple during festival

Puri: With less than a week left for the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and sibling deities in Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri, final touches are now being given to all arrangements for the mega annual festival.

To ensure smooth conduct of the grand event, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is set to review all aspects of preparations at an important meeting to be held in Puri on Tuesday.

Giving this information, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan told reporters that the CM would take stock of all arrangements being made for Rath Yatra. Stressing that focus is on ensuring discipline during Rath Yatra, the Minister said steps are being taken to provide necessary amenities for women and resolving issues relating to VIP movement.

Noting that movement of VIPs generally creates problems in the conduct of rituals during Rath Yatra, Harichandan said it has been decided to stop anyone from entering the temple on that day.

The Minister said servitors of the temple have assured that they will extend full cooperation in the conduct of Rath Yatra. There will be no crowd on the chariots to ensure proper darshan of the deities.

Notably, President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to participate in the Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri this time. She is slated to attend a host of other programmes during her visit to Odisha from July 6.

The Minister said preparations including the route and darshan by the President have been finalised. If the President desires to pull the chariot during Rath Yatra, necessary steps will be taken in this regard, he added.