Security Measures In Place For Rukuna Rath Yatra In Bhubaneswar Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police has geared up with elaborate security arrangements for Ashokastami car festival of Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

The security arrangements were discussed at a high-level meeting of the Police Commissionerate on Monday. Besides deployment of police force for smooth conduct of Rukuna Rath Yatra or Ashokastami car festival of Lord Linagaraj, traffic regulation, vehicle parking and management of the heatwave were also discussed at the meeting, sources said.

It was decided that 12 platoons of police force, two Additional DCPs, six ACPs, 15 inspectors, more than 50 sub-inspectors and ASIs besides over 100 constables and home guards will be deployed to look after law and order during the car festival.

As per the schedule of the Ratha Yatra, the rituals of the deity will begin at 5 am and the chariot will be pulled at 3.30 pm.

Earlier, the Police Commissionerate had announced traffic diversion for smooth conduct of pulling the chariot.

The rath yatra of Lord Lingaraj is celebrated on the day of Ashokastami in the month of Chaitra. This festival lasts for five to seven days. It is also called ‘Papa Binashakari Yatra’ that means destruction of all evils and sins.