Daijiworld Media Network - Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Jun 7: The Odisha government has constituted a high-level ministerial committee to ensure the smooth and seamless conduct of the grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri, scheduled for June 27.

As per a notification issued by the Law Department on Friday, the panel will be headed by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida. The committee includes law, works and excise minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, and Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena. The Principal Secretary of the Law Department will serve as the committee’s convenor.

The panel’s main task will be to oversee and guide all government-level preparations to ensure the festival unfolds without glitches. Odisha DGP Y B Khurania, during a recent review, highlighted the need for effective crowd management, given that over 15 lakh devotees are expected to participate.

The ceremonial bathing ritual 'Snana Yatra' of the divine trinity — Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath — is set for June 11, ahead of the main Rath Yatra. Puri SP Vinit Agarwal confirmed all arrangements are underway.

To assist pilgrims and tourists, the Puri district administration has also launched a dedicated mobile app, Shree Jagannatha Dham. “The app will provide details such as the temple’s Niti timings, expected queue durations, and arrangements for special events,” said Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain.

He added that the app will also offer guidance on nearby religious places, lodging options, and other essential services, aiming to enrich the overall experience for devotees visiting the historic 12th-century temple.