PURI, INDIA, July 8, 2005: Braving intermittent rains hundreds of thousands of devotees thronged the holy city, abode of Lord Jagannath, today to witness the world famous car festival even as an elaborate security blanket has been cast following the terrorist attack in Ayodhya. The three-km long Grand road from the Lions gate of the 12th century ce temple to Gundicha was crowded with pilgrims and the air reverberated to the chants of “Haribol” and “Jai Jagannth” as the rituals for the royal procession of three presiding deities–Lord Jagannath, elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Subhadra–began. The three deities would begin their journey to Gundicha temple on three gigantic well decorated colorful chariots–Nandighosh, Taladhawaja and Darpadalan– parked outside the temple. The deities would return to their original abode after a nine-day sojourn in Gundicha temple.
UNI Reports: The police have made a foolproof security arrangement for the 128th rath yatra of Lord Jagannath, to be taken out from famous centuries-old Jagannath Temple located in communally sensitive Jamalpur area of the walled city today morning. Additional Commissioner of Police (Sector-2), Ashish Bhatia, said a thick security blanket has been thrown around the entire 15-km long route of the yatra with deployment of a strong contingent of over 15,000 security personnel. The passing of the procession in the most sensitive part, the minority dominated (i.e. Muslim) Jordan Road locality of the Dariapur area, will be closely monitored by the officials through a special network of CCTVs (close circuit televisions). Thirty video cameras will shoot the entire procession.