Bhubaneswar: Commissionerate Police on Monday held a high-level preparatory meeting for the smooth conduct of Rukuna Rath Yatra which will be held on Tuesday in the temple city.
Police discussed measures to curb traffic regulations and issues pertaining to security, and vehicle parking. Besides, police team led emphasis on effective management of the heat wave conditions, said sources.
Twelve platoons of force, two Additional DCPs, six ACPs, 15 inspectors, more than 50 sub-inspectors, and ASIs, including over 100 constables and home guards will be deployed to maintain law and order situation, said sources.
This year, the temple administration has come up with a special arrangement for parking vehicles.
Besides, keeping the rising temperature and sweltering heat wave conditions in mind, the district administration has come up with special arrangements for devotees. NGOs have come up with an adequate number of water kiosks for the convenience of devotees. Arrangements have been made to spray water on devotees thronging to witness the car festival.
Police personnel have talked to the Fire Brigade Department, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Servitors’ Body for the timely completion of all rituals.
Meanwhile, Khurda District Collector visited the shrine and took stock of the situation.
Going by the temple sources, Rukuna Ratha Yatra rituals of the deity will begin at 5.00 am and the chariot will be pulled at 3.30 pm. Hence, vehicular movement was restricted on Ratha Road.
It may be mentioned that on the day of Ashokastami, the day preceding Ramnavami, three deities Chandrasekhar (the representative of Lord Lingaraja), Rukmini (also called Rukuna or Gopaluni), and Basudeva are brought out of the temple to ascend their chariot. During the pilgrimage Lord Lingaraj visits the Rameshwar temple, making the procession one of the longest ones. During the four-day residence at Rameshwara, devotees worship the deities and perform rituals
