The Odisha Police have deployed 205 platoons of force to manage the Bahuda Yatra—the sacred return procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Gundicha temple to the Shree Jagannath Temple (Srimandir) in Puri.
With thousands of devotees flocking to the temple town, Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania and senior officials are personally monitoring the event. “With the Lord’s blessings, we are confident the Yatra will be smooth and secure,” said the DGP.
Puri SP Pinak Mishra stated that morning rituals, including Mangala Alati, have been completed. The traditional Pahandi procession will follow, culminating in the ceremonial pulling of the three grand chariots.
Emphasizing safety, police have implemented a robust drone surveillance system, operated from a central control room. This enables live monitoring and real-time coordination for both crowd and traffic management.
Given Puri’s unpredictable monsoon weather, special protocols have been activated to handle rain or other adverse conditions. “Our entire focus remains on crowd safety and real-time surveillance,” said Mishra.
With spiritual fervour in the air and law enforcement on high alert, the Bahuda Yatra 2025 promises to be a harmonious confluence of devotion, tradition, and diligent public service.
