Indus Valley Times

By Dr Rama Chandra Behera

Bhubaneswar, July 2: Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced a two-day holiday for the annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri. The rituals of the upcoming Rath Yatra beginning from July 7 will be performed as per the rituals conducted during the festival in 1971. While reviewing the preparations at Rath Yatra coordination meeting in Puri, the CM urged all officials to cooperate and ensure smooth conduct of the festival.

This year Nabajaubana Darshan, Netra Utsav and the Rath Yatra fall on the same day (July 7). The chariots will be pulled for a short distance on July 7 and it will resume again the next day. Similar event was also witnessed in 1971.

“Fifty-three years ago, Nabajaubana Darshan, Netra Utsav and the Rath Yatra fell on the same day. Such a coincidence is unique and auspicious, too. Hence, we have decided to extend the Rath Yatra holiday for one more day. So, Rath Yatra holiday will be for two days,” said CM Mohan Majhi.

According to CM Mohan Majhi, President of India Droupadi Murmu is also scheduled to visit Odisha and attend Rath Yatra celebrations.

Odisha law minister Prithviraj Harichandan said, “There is a need to declare holiday as there are several exams and other things. It is a welcoming decision.”

Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Sarangi said elaborate arrangements have been made for security, traffic and crowd control and law and order. Apart from this, special arrangements have been made for the President’s visit.

“We have already conducted a review of the deployments twice. The ministry of Home Affairs has accepted our proposal for deployment of 5 companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF),”said Sarangi.

According to Sarangi, an integrated control room and traffic control room will also be set up. CCTVs will be installed at different locations with 18 traffic aid posts. Apart from this, there will be police aid and traffic aid posts as well for Rath Yatra.