Strict security at Jagannath Rathyatra

Strict security arrangements have been made for the annual Jagannath Rathyatra that would pass through the city's main thoroughfares, including the sensitive walled city area, tomorrow.

Approximately 20,000 security personnel would be deployed on the occasion, P K Jha, additional commissioner of police said, adding that "foolproof security arrangements have been made for the rathyatra".

The chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra and their sister Subhadra would roll out from Jagannath temple in the morning.

The yatra would comprise a large procession of decorated elephants, while thousands of devotees singing bhajans to the beats of cymbals and drums along with sadhus and wrestlers from local 'akhadhas' (clubs) would accompany the chariots.

Forces from the State Reserve Police, Rapid Action Force, Central Reserve Police Force, and Border wing jawans would be stationed along the entire 15-kilometre route of the yatra, including communally sensitive areas like Jamalpur, Dariapur and Kalupur.

The chariots will be pulled by 1,200 youths of the Khalasi community. Armed security personnel would monitor the proceedings from 250 terrace tops while mounted policemen on horsebacks would accompany the devotees, who would distribute thousands of kilograms of `prasad' prepared by the temple authorities.

The chariots will stop at scheduled spots enroute, allowing local residents to offer prayers.

The day-long yatra is scheduled to end with the chariots returning to the temple at Jamalpur in the evening.