Puri: With lakhs of devotees expected to throng Odisha’s Puri to have darshan of sibling deities on the occasion of Snana Purnima on Saturday, the district police administration has made elaborate security arrangements.
Speaking to media on Friday, Puri SP Pinak Mishra said Snana Purnima is considered a major festival before the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhandra and Devi Subhadra. The devotees turn up in large number to have darshan of the deities taking holy bath in the open at Snana Mandap of Jagannath temple.
As per the arrangements, the devotees will go through a barricade to Snana Mandap and exit through three doors. The stretch from the Market Square to Sindhadwar (Lions Gate) has been declared no-vehicle zone.
The SP said in order to ensure smooth and hassle-free darshan for the devotees, maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident, massive security arrangements have been made by the police.
Total 68 platoons of police force under the supervision of four SP rank officers, 12 Additional SP rank officers and 22 DSPs will be deployed in the pilgrim town on the occasion. Around 60 Inspectors and more than 290 SIs would also be deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the festival, he added.
While the ticket holders will make entry from the south door during ‘Pahandi’ ritual of the deities, nobody is allowed to touch the deities, the SP said.
