7 hours ago
Jagannathpur gears up for Rath Yatra with tight security, eco push
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Ranchi: The district administration has intensified preparations for the Jagannathpur Rath Yatra, scheduled from June 27 to July 5, with a focus on crowd management, sanitation, eco-friendly practices, and structural safety.
On Sunday, DC Manjunath Bhajantri conducted an inspection of the 40-ft-high chariot and held a review meeting with senior officials and temple committee members.
The chariot, crafted by artisans from Puri and Jharkhand, is nearing completion and will soon be stationed on the Jagannath temple premises for final rituals. Made of sal, mango, and jamun wood, the Rs 7 lakh Rath features eight wheels for balance: two in front, four at the centre, and two at the back, and a top singhasan (throne) for deities Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra.
It will be pulled manually by devotees.
"The Rath's crown will be decorated with red and yellow cloth from Puri, topped with a brass kalash, Sudarshan Chakra, and a ceremonial flag. Figures of Jay-Vijay (doorkeepers), wooden horses, and elephants will adorn the front, with an 'ulta suga' (parrot) placed facing north-south, as per temple tradition," said chief priest Thakur Sudhanshu Nath Shahdeo
The DC's inspection included a walk-through of the procession route from Jagannath Temple to Mausi Bari, where he instructed officials to ensure clear passage for devotees, install barricades, and deploy volunteers at critical points.
Arrangements for ambulances, fire tenders, drinking water, portable toilets, and 24/7 electricity have been finalized. SSP Chandan Sinha confirmed that CCTV cameras and watch towers are being installed, and police-magistrate teams will be posted at sensitive spots.
"We've planned restricted vehicular entry and traffic diversions to ensure smooth movement during the Rath pull," he said.
Vendors have been directed to avoid plastic items like disposable cups and plates.
The administration has made biodegradable plates (donas and pattals) mandatory. Every stall must maintain its own dustbin, and solid waste teams will be on standby.
On the other hand, Ranchi Municipal Corporation is also conducting a special sanitation drive around the Dhurwa temple area. Measures include drain cleaning, garbage removal, bleaching powder and fogging, along with deployment of water tankers, mobile toilets, and dustbins to ensure cleanliness and convenience for devotees.
