Puri: Special rituals are underway at Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri amid enthusiasm and traditional fervour on the occasion of Snana Purnima on Saturday.
Thousands of devotees have congregated at the pilgrim town to witness the bathing festival of the sibling deities of the 12th century shrine.
Elaborate arrangements have been made by the state government for smooth conduct of the annual festival, official sources said.
The sibling deities were escorted by the servitors from the Ratna Simhasana in a ritualistic procession early in the morning. The Lords were taken to the bathing altar (Snana Mandap) at around 6 am in a special procession known as ‘Pahandi’.
The ‘Pahandi Bije’ of the Lords to the snan mandap (bathing platform) amid beating of gongs and chants of haribol started around 4 am and continued till 6 am.
While 68 platoons of police force have been deployed for proper crowd management, traffic advisory has also been issued for visitors.
The restriction came into force from 10 pm on Friday and will continue till the end of the event during which the sibling deities will be bathed with scented water brought in 108 pitchers from suna kua (sacred well) on the shrine premises.
As many as 68 platoons of police force have been deployed to manage the crowd which is expected to throng the pilgrim town to witness Hati Besha of the Lords bedecked with flowers resembling elephants, after the holy bath.
Police have issued a helpline number 6370967100 for devotees requiring any assistance.
A number of traffic regulations have been issued in Puri town for Snana Purnima festival to ensure smooth movement of vehicles.
There is no restriction of regular passenger buses from Bhubaneswar or Konark to enter into regular Municipality Bus Stand. Buses coming from Bhubaneswar and other areas are diverted accordingly.
Puri Town Shuttle Buses/ Auto Rickshaw are allowed up to Medical square on Badadanda. Protocol Vehicles are allowed upto Gadadhar High School to avail parking facilities. After parking they can avail BOV facilities.
LMV coming from Bhubaneswar are diverted from Harekrushnapur square towards Srisetu to avail parking facilities at JBPC and Old JBPC. After filled up JBPC parking LMVs are allowed at Harekrushnapur square towards Atharanala for parking at Jail Road.
LMV coming from Brahmagiri side are diverted at Mangalaghat square for parking at Yatrika, Blue flag beach and Hotel Nilachala Ashok. LMV coming from Konark side are diverted from Grid Station square to park at Blue flag beach and Hotel Nilachala Ashok. They are diverted as per availability of space in parking places accordingly for the traffic regulations for Deva Snana Purnima.
Two wheelers can avail parking at eastern side of Badadanda from Medical square up to Nayak Plaza on first come first avail basis and after filled up Motorcycles will be diverted towards Jail Road and Saradhabali accordingly.
No vehicle zone will be ensured from Market square to Jaga Balia Lodge and around temple also. Only Pass Holder Vehicles/ Motor Cycle, Emergency Vehicle/ Official Vehicle will be allowed beyond Market square.