Snana Yatra of Lord Jagannath tomorrow, security tightened in Shreekhetra

Puri: The month-long Rath Yatra festivities of Lord Jagannath will begin with the Deba Snana Purnima tomorrow. As per rituals, the Holy Trinity will be taken out of the Srimandir on ‘dhadi pahandi’ and moved to the Snana Mandap (bathing altar) where they will be bathed with 108 pots of perfumed water.

According to detail itinerary, the bathing rituals are likely to take place between 11 and 2 pm. After the conduct of Chhera Panhara by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, the Lords will be dressed up for public darshan in the form of Hati Besha during Sahana Mela.

Sources said, the devotees will have darshan of the deities much closer than before as they will be allowed to pass along the Snana Mandap through Kirtan Chakada and Horse door. After having darshan of the Holy Trinity, devotees can return back through the three main gates.

Senior Daitapati Binayak Das Mohapatra said the Hati Besha of the Lords will be held between 3 to 4 pm.

“I have come to Puri to have darshan of Lord Jagannath on Snana Purnima as it is considered to be very pious,” said a devotee.

Meanwhile, ahead of the bathing rituals of the dieties, the district administration has made elaborate security arrangements headed by IG Central range Soumendra Priyadarshi for the smooth conduct of the holy bath rituals of the three deities of Srimandir.

Around 42 platoons of police force, three commandants, nine ASPs and 16 DSPs, one section of Special Tactical Unit (STU) and 224 officers will be in charge of the security at the Srimandir during the Snana Yatra.

To ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic, the city has been divided into four parking zones near Jagannath Ballav, district school, SCS College.

After reviewing police arrangements for Snana Yatra, Puri SP Umashankar Das said, “As heavy turnout of devotees is expected inside the temple, ticket holders will be allowed to enter through the south gate to witness pahandi darshan of the deities. Besides, special arrangement has been made for Sahana Mela.”

Barricades will also be put up during pahandi so that servitors can enter and conduct the pahandi rituals without any hassles.

CCTV cameras installed inside the temple have been restored. Special provisions have been made for parking of two wheeler vehicles from Town police station to Market Chhak in the city. Similarly, eight places have been identified for parking of light vehicles, the SP added.