Puri Under Thick Security Blanket Ahead Of Parikrama Opening; Programme Details & Other Attractions

Puri: Security has been heightened in Odisha’s pilgrim town Puri in view of Shree Jagannath Parikrama Prakalp (heritage corridor project) inauguration on January 17.

Briefing the media on Friday, Central Range IG Asish Singh informed that two different security mechanisms will be in place – one will remain active till January 16 and the other for the grand day on January 17.

The IG said that more than 44 platoons of the police force have been deployed with five Additional SP rank officers, 10 DSP rank officers, 30 Inspector rank officers, supervising all security, traffic and other arrangements. “Information about the fool-proof security for the event will provided on January 16,” he said.

The security arrangement will be in place round-the-clock till the arrival of dignitaries and completion of the inauguration ceremony, he said.

Singh further noted that the focus now is on five areas. “Forces have been augmented to ensure hassle-free darshan for the devotees thronging the Jagannath temple. There will be extra deployment along the Parikrama corridor and gates of the temple to guard the infrastructure developed under the project,” he said.

Under this arrangement, CCTV cameras, bomb detection and disposal squads, anti-sabotage and surveillance teams, and special trained officers, will be deployed along with three K9 squads. “Altogether 135 camera have been installed along the corridor for face reading. The entire activities will be monitored by a senior-ranked officer, using facial recognition and eye-technology,” he said.

Four specially-trained teams will be deployed in all four directions of the temple to respond and take action in case of any information received or observed in CCTV, he added.

“Sufficient police force and officers have been deployed in Puri to facilitate the movement of devotees to offer prayers at Jagannath Temple and for religious rituals commencing today to ensure security, safety and sanctity of the place,” said Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh, adding that there is no traffic restrictions for the locals till January 16.

Notably, the programmes leading to the inauguration will commenced this afternoon with Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb entrusting sacred betels to 108 Brahmins. It will be followed by rituals Ankuropan and Ankur puja on Saturday and Yajna Adhibas on Sunday. On January 15, an Akhand Deepa will be placed at the site, where the three-day yajna will be performed by the Brahmins.

The programmes will culminate on January 17 when Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will lead a symbolic journey through the Parikrama between 1.15 pm and 1.30 pm, declaring it open for devotees. Surya puja, Dharitri puja, Go puja, Panchkarma, Bastu puja, and Adhivasa Purna Ahuti are also scheduled for the same day. Devotees will be allowed to move into the Parikrama after 3 pm.

A specially-constructed podium at Utterparswa mutt will serve as the platform for the thanksgiving speech of the CM, who is expected to launch a series of videos showcasing the Parikrama project, underscoring the modern aspects integrated into this centuries-old tradition, Chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Ranjan Kumar Das told the media.

There will also be performance by various cultural troupes- Mahari, Sambalpuri, Odissi, Banati, Laudi khela, traditional blowing of conch and Paika dance. Delegates from 90 religious shrines and institutions across the country are expected to attend the event.

There will be an exhibition on the Kanchi expedition of the Gajapati on laser screens at two places, besides a light and sound show in the Jagannath Ballav mutt. Visitors to the grand opening will also get an opportunity to see various sacred items, including kudua (earthen containers to carry Mahaprasad), flowers, bhogs and attires used for the deities in Jagannath temple at an exhibition in Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre (JBPC), Das added.

Vehicles coming from Bhubaneswar and Brahmagiri will take the newly-built Shree Setu (trumpet bridge) to reach the JBPC’s multi-level parking facility, avoiding the traffic congestion inside the town. It will also reduce the travel time by 30 minutes. After visiting the exhibition centre, they proceed towards Parikrama site via the newly built Shree Danda, running parallel to the Bada Danda.