10 Lakh people expected at Puri for Rath Yatra Festival

The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings starts in Puri in Odisha on Wednesday with authorities expecting about 10 lakh people to take part in the nine-day chariot festival.

Security has been strengthened across Puri town for the Rath Yatra.

"Multi-layer security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the festival. CCTVs have been installed at various locations to keep a tab on the people," said Director General of Police KB Singh.

There is heavy security around the three chariots and Grand Road, the sea beach, the railway station and the bus station.

Air surveillance and land and air patrolling will be intensified, KB Singh said.

The visitors would be informed from time to time about traffic management through social media and Puri police administration website, senior police officer Soumendra Priyadarshi said.

Police and other personnel have been deployed to guide the public.

Sri Jagannath Temple Administration has announced it will provide an accident insurance cover of Rs. five lakh, effective from July 5 to 17, to each person taking part in the Rath Yatra.

Final touches are being given to the three chariot Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra, Nandighosh of Lord Jagannath and Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra which will be pulled to the Gundicha temple here on Wednesday.

The deities will be worshipped for seven days at the temple.

East Coast Railway will run special trains to clear the extra rush of passengers for the festival.

"Railways have planned to facilitate pilgrims with reserved 'class accommodation,' for the trains leaving from its jurisdiction towards Puri and vice versa, apart from the special trains from neighbouring states," said a statement of the Railways.

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore Announces Training Program on Value-Added Products from Tomato and Aloe Vera

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore is conducting a two-day training program on May 19-20, 2026, to teach p...

Applications Open for Degree and Diploma Courses at Malumichampatti Music College - Collector Announces

Coimbatore District Collector Pavan Kumar Giriyappanar announces admissions for degree and diploma courses at Tamil Nadu...

Applications Open for Degree and Diploma Courses at Malumichampatti Music College - Collector Announces

Coimbatore District Collector Pawan Kumar Giriyappanar announces admissions for degree and diploma courses at Tamil Nadu...

GKNM Hospital Honours Nursing Excellence on International Nurses Day with Awards Ceremony

GKNM Hospital celebrated International Nurses Day on May 15 at its auditorium, honouring nurses with awards across vario...

Former AIADMK MLA A Shanmugam Joins Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam in Minister Sengottaiyan's Presence

Former MLA A Shanmugam from Madukkarai, Coimbatore South Rural District AIADMK Secretary, joined Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam...

Stock Verification Underway in 69 Closed TASMAC Shops Across Coimbatore District

Authorities have begun verifying liquor stock worth several crores of rupees in the 69 TASMAC outlets recently shut down...