Odisha: Chariot-making underway ahead of Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra in Puri

Puri (Odisha) [India], July 3 : Rath Yatra chariot-making is underway ahead of the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra on July 7.
Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain on Wednesday said that on the day of chariot pulling, President Droupadi Murmu is also going to visit.
"As you know, this year is a very unique Rath Yatra in the sense that all the three important rituals are falling on the same day. At the same time, it's challenging and it is a matter of privilege as well. President Droupadi Murmu is also going to visit Puri on the day of the chariot pulling. All the concerned departments are in readiness, and we had several rounds of interdepartmental and coordination meetings," Puri DM told ANI.
He further said that a 225-bed super speciality was set up at the two ends of the grand road for the Rath Yatra.
"Police deployment is massive. Around 28 parking places have been identified for people. Public amenities for the people at transit points are also being planned so that people who are coming from different districts and different states can have a temporary resting place," he added.
Puri DM said that the chariot preparations are in this final stage, and in a couple of days we expect it to be completed.
The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The festival, celebrated with great fanfare from New Zealand to London and South Africa encompasses the onward journey of the Holy Trinity to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi's Temple and culminates with the return journey after eight days.
In reality, the festival stretches from the day of Akshaya Tritiya (in April) and culminates with the return of the journey of the Holy Trinity to the Shree Mandir premises.