Odisha CM praises all for peaceful Ratha Jatra this year

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik praised and thanked Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), servitors, Puri district administration and police personnel for the smooth conduct of Ratha Jatra and Bahuda Jatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Lord Sudarshan and Devi Subhadra.

As per a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, Naveen also thanked the people for their co-operation in making the grand annual festival peaceful.

Thousands of devotees today thronged the holy town of Puri to witness Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.

The State government has made massive security arrangements for the nine-day festival that began on July 14.

Around 8,000 police personnel were deployed along with anti bomb squad and Rapid Action Force were deployed to give proper security to the devotees and tourists during Gundicha Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, Sunavesha, Nabajoubana Darshana and Niladribije.