Puri: Amid hectic preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and siblings in Puri, the Odisha government on Monday expressed confidence that the annual festival would be conducted smoothly this year.
Stating that 80 per cent work for the car festival has already been completed, Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that the remaining work will be completed much before Rath Yatra to be held on June 27.
Preparations are underway as per plan and the Rath Yatra festival is expected to be a smooth affair this year, the Minister told reporters after coordination committee meeting on Snana Purnima and Rath Yatra rituals in Puri.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is monitoring all the preparations for the upcoming Snana Purnima of the deities scheduled on June 11.
Everything is going on smoothly in close coordination with the servitors, in adherence to the guidelines set for Deva Snana Purnima, Chief Administrator of SJTA Arabinda Padhee said.
The Daita servitors are entering the temple on Monday, and the Senapatalagi ritual will be conducted on Tuesday, he said, adding that all arrangements at the Snana Mandap have been upgraded to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees. Special provisions have also been made for devotees viewing the rituals from the Bada Danda (Grand Road).
The SJTA chief called upon all servitors to continue their cooperation for the seamless conduct of both Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra.
Arrangements have been made for running 365 special trains to Puri during the Rath Yatra for the convenience of devotees wanting to visit the pilgrim town to witness the grand event.
Similarly, 300 more doctors will be engaged to provide health services, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, stressing the need for adhering to Covid guidelines.
The Minister appealed to people who have Covid symptoms not to visit Puri during the festival.
Notably, the 11-day Rath Yatra festival is scheduled to commence on June 27 with the pulling of chariots. Before that, the deities will have a grand bath during Deva Snana Purnima on June 11 and then fall sick and undergo herbal treatment in Anasara (recovery chamber) for 14 days.