Puri, July 17: The renowned Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, successfully concluded on Thursday in Puri, Odisha, despite continuous rainfall and adverse weather conditions. The event witnessed an overwhelming turnout of approximately 8 to 9 lakh devotees from across the country and abroad, showcasing immense religious fervor and exemplary administrative coordination.
All sacred rituals associated with the festival, including the pulling of the three chariots, were carried out smoothly as planned. Jagadguru Shankaracharya, the head of the Govardhan Peeth, also participated in the chariot procession and offered prayers.
The state government implemented extensive and multi-layered arrangements to ensure the successful conduct of the festival. This included the involvement of various stakeholder departments such as police, health services, fire services, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), transport, urban administration, public health engineering, and energy. Continuous monitoring, adequate deployment of security personnel, extensive CCTV coverage, public announcement systems, traffic regulation, sanitation measures, drinking water facilities, emergency response teams, and medical infrastructure ensured that devotees could participate in the festival safely and comfortably.
However, the unprecedented crowd and continuous rain led to instances of fatigue, dehydration, suffocation, and minor health issues throughout the day. During the festival, seven individuals felt unwell and were promptly taken to the hospital by deployed personnel. Tragically, one male devotee over the age of 60 passed away, and authorities are investigating the exact cause of death. In a separate incident, a male devotee over 35 suffered a heart attack and, despite immediate medical intervention, unfortunately succumbed.
Due to the continuous rain, several devotees fell ill and were hospitalized but were discharged after receiving appropriate treatment. Overall, the festival was conducted peacefully, orderly, and smoothly, with no incidents of stampede or disruption in crowd management.
Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the administration, security agencies, volunteers, and service providers, the movement of devotees remained uninterrupted. The situation during the festival was normal, and all essential services operated smoothly.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers and thanked millions of devotees for their patience, discipline, and cooperation, which significantly contributed to the peaceful and successful organization of the festival. He reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvements in infrastructure, public services, and administrative preparedness to ensure that every devotee can experience the sacred festival with safety, dignity, and convenience.
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