As the pilgrim town of Puri prepares to celebrate the grand finale of the Chandan Yatra with Shreekhetra Bhaunri, the Puri Police has rolled out a comprehensive traffic advisory to ensure smooth festivities and safety for devotees and visitors.
The advisory outlines no-vehicle zones, traffic diversions, and parking arrangements to manage the influx of thousands of devotees expected to throng the city for this significant event.
The Shreekhetra Bhaunri marks the culmination of the 42-day-long Chandan Yatra, one of the most important festivals associated with Lord Jagannath. The festival, which began on Akshaya Tritiya in April-May, is divided into two phases: the Bahara Chandan Yatra (outer festival) and Bhitara Chandan Yatra (inner festival). For 21 days, representative deities of Lord Jagannath, including Madan Mohan, Mahalaxmi, Saraswati, Rama, Krishna, and the Pancha Pandavas, are taken in a grand procession to the Narendra Tank, about 1.5 kilometers from the Jagannath Temple. Here, they are rowed in gorgeously decorated boats amidst music, dance, and fireworks, offering devotees a divine spectacle. The final day, known as Bhaunri Yatra, is celebrated with great fervor, drawing large crowds to witness the rituals and celebrations.
To manage the expected crowd and ensure safety, Puri Police has designated several areas as no-vehicle zones. These include the stretch from Market Square to the exit point of Raybahadur Lane via Narendra Kona, Narendra Kona to Souchalaya Chhak, Souchalaya Chhak to Devighata Chhak, and Malena Lane to Ashya Patra Lane from the Badadanda side. These restrictions aim to facilitate pedestrian movement and prevent congestion around key ritual sites, including the Narendra Tank, where the main events of Bhaunri Yatra take place.
Traffic diversions have also been put in place to streamline vehicle movement. Vehicles approaching from the Mangalahata side will be diverted from Devighata Chhak to Kumbharapada Chhak via Jatibab Chhak. This diversion ensures that the roads leading to the festival areas remain accessible for emergency services and pedestrians while minimising disruptions for travellers. Additionally, parking arrangements have been made to accommodate the influx of vehicles. Vehicles from Market Square will be parked at JBPC and Municipal Parking, while those from Mangalahata will be directed to park under Srisetu Bridge near Bisweshwari Chhaka.
These measures reflect Puri Police’s proactive approach to managing large-scale events, a strategy they have successfully implemented during past festivals like the Rath Yatra and New Year celebrations.
The Chandan Yatra, deeply rooted in Odisha’s cultural and maritime history, is believed to have originated as a means to train young men in sea voyages, a nod to the region’s historical maritime trade with Eastern countries, as noted on shreekhetra.com. The festival also holds spiritual significance, with Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra engaging in water sports at Narendra Tank to seek respite from the summer heat, a ritual that mirrors human routines.
The Bhaunri Yatra, marking the end of this festive period, is a highlight for devotees, featuring fireworks, music, and dance that create a vibrant atmosphere in Puri.
For devotees planning to attend the celebrations, Puri Police advises following the designated routes and parking guidelines to avoid inconvenience.
