Sea of Humanity Throngs Puri, Threat Shadow Looms

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Photos: Sampradaya Sun
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Jun 21, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — Panic of possible terror strike during Rath Yatra sent the police into a tizzy, even as a sea of humanity tugged the three iconic chariots in gung-ho spirit on Thursday. Apart from the two alleged stampede deaths, no other unpleasant incidents took place.

"There were intelligence reports that some subversive groups might create trouble during Rath Yatra. We were prepared to face any eventuality. Security was tightened compared to previous years," Odisha DGP Manmohan Praharaj said. "We also appealed to the people to remain alert," Praharaj said.

Pahandi of Lord Jagannatha

Threat perception apart, the cops were on toes to provide security to the VVIPs, who thronged Puri to witness Rath Yatra. Governor M C Bhandare, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, a number of ministers and MLAs were present near the temple.

Gun-totting policemen covered the temple from all sides to thwart any danger. Sharp shooters occupied rooftops to keep a tab on suspicious characters. Around 107 platoon police forces, two companies of rapid action force and 500 police officers were garrisoned to control law and order.

Pahandi of Devi Subhadra

Unfazed by the threat perception, people in large numbers participated in the millennia-old festival. All roads led to Jagannath Temple, as a wave of euphoria swept across the temple town with the reigning Deities commencing their nine-day ‘outing' to Gundicha temple amid boisterous procession.

From dawn, devotees started occupying their positions in and around the temple to witness the annual extravaganza. Notwithstanding wide coverage of the grand festival on several television channels, the inflow of pilgrims has not dwindled.

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb performs traditional chhera pahanra

A high point of this year's car festival was ‘discipline'. All the rituals, including the chhera pahanra (sweeping of chariot floors) by Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, were completed in time. However, the three chariots could not reach Gundicha temple on Thursday. The chariot pulling will resume on Friday morning.

For smooth passage of pilgrims, the Puri administration shut most of the narrow lanes and by-lanes connecting to Grand Road. Police had a tough time evacuating the crowd from the chariots and inner cordon. Though around 60 people, including priests and cymbal beaters are supposed to remain present on the chariots, a number of pilgrims climbed the chariots in the camouflage of priests. "We admit that a number of pilgrims wore priests' attire and climbed the chariots. Priests created problems for us when we tried to evict them," said a police officer. "Priests minted money by allowing pilgrims on to the chariots," he said. Cops were jittery after last year's scuffle between some policemen and priests on chariots at Gundicha temple.

The presence of more than the required people on chariots created problem for devotees to have clear glimpse of the Deities. "Many priests were clearly trying to flaunt their ornaments before the zooming cameras. Many of us were barred from having clear darshan of the Deities. Police failed to throw them out of the chariots," Sanjay Saha, a pilgrim said.

There were instances in the past when some "influential" priests allegedly manhandled police personnel for preventing them from taking their clients onto chariots. A few priests were sent show-cause notices for their misconduct and uncouth attitude on the chariots.

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