Puri Police Security Archives - Odisha Connect

Deba Snana Purnima 2026: Lord Jagannath Appears on Snana Bedi in Rare Hati Besha; Massive Security Arrangements in Puri

OdishaConnect — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 06:32:35 +0000

The holy town of Puri has come alive with devotion as Deba Snana Purnima, one of the most significant festivals in the annual Jagannath calendar, is being observed today. After a year-long wait, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan were ceremonially brought out from the Ratna Singhasan to the Snana Bedi (bathing altar), where they will bless devotees with the rare Hati Besha (Elephant Attire).

Lakhs of devotees from across Odisha and other parts of the country have gathered in Puri to witness the sacred rituals and seek the blessings of the deities.

Sacred Rituals Mark the Grand Festival

The ceremonial Pahandi procession began early in the morning between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM, during which the deities were carried in a grand procession to the Snana Bedi.

The main Snana (holy bathing) ritual is scheduled between 12:20 PM and 1:45 PM, followed by the traditional Hati Besha at around 4:30 PM. Devotees will also get an opportunity for Sahan Mela Darshan from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM, allowing them to have a closer view of the deities. The deities will return to the sanctum through the Bahuda Pahandi late at night.

Thousands of Pilgrims Throng Puri

The festival has transformed Puri into a sea of devotees, with pilgrims lining the Grand Road and surrounding areas since the early hours. Dev Snana Purnima is considered one of the most important public appearances of the deities before the annual Rath Yatra.

Following today’s bathing ceremony, the deities are believed to fall ill and will remain away from public view during the Anasara period before reappearing for the Rath Yatra.

Heavy Security and Traffic Restrictions in Place

With a massive influx of pilgrims and tourists, the Puri Police has implemented elaborate security arrangements across the city. Additional police personnel, lifeguards and volunteers have been deployed to regulate crowds and ensure smooth movement.

Authorities have appealed to devotees to cooperate with security personnel, follow traffic advisories and avoid overcrowding.

Visitors have also been advised to:

Bathe only in designated safe zones along the beach.
Keep children under constant supervision.
Safeguard personal belongings.
Stay hydrated by drinking sufficient water and wearing light clothing.
Avoid entering deep or restricted sea areas.
Refrain from consuming alcohol on the beach.
Immediately report any suspicious activity or unattended objects to the police.

Locker Facilities and Emergency Assistance

To ensure the safety of pilgrims’ belongings, the Puri Police has arranged government-operated locker and deposit counters at several locations, including the Temple Office rear gate, North Gate, West Gate, South Gate, Surya Complex, Marichi Kote Square, Town Police Station and Market Square.

For emergency assistance, devotees can contact 112, the Tourist Helpline at 6370967100, or access support through the Puri Police WhatsApp Chatbot at 8763199400.

The authorities have urged all visitors to follow official advisories and cooperate fully to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration of one of Lord Jagannath’s most sacred annual festivals.

The post Deba Snana Purnima 2026: Lord Jagannath Appears on Snana Bedi in Rare Hati Besha; Massive Security Arrangements in Puri appeared first on Odisha Connect.

Puri Gears Up for Snana Purnima; 79 Platoons of Police Deployed, 10,000 Pahandi Tickets to Be Sold

OdishaConnect — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 05:39:15 +0000

The holy town of Puri is all set for the grand Snana Purnima festival of Lord Jagannath, with elaborate security and crowd management arrangements put in place for the annual ceremonial bathing ritual of the sibling deities. With only two days left for the festival, the district administration and police have intensified preparations to ensure a smooth and safe darshan for thousands of devotees expected to gather at the Jagannath Temple.

As part of the arrangements, the administration has decided to sell 10,000 special Pahandi Darshan tickets, priced at ₹150 each, allowing devotees to witness the ceremonial procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to the Snana Mandap.

To maintain law and order, 79 platoons of police personnel will be deployed across Puri. The security setup includes 15 officers of SP rank, 30 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and nearly 320 officers of Sub-Inspector and Assistant Sub-Inspector rank. Police personnel will be stationed inside and outside the temple, at traffic junctions, control rooms and rooftop observation points to monitor crowd movement and ensure public safety.

The temple premises and surrounding areas have been divided into 14 security sectors, each supervised by senior officers. CCTV surveillance will be strengthened around the Snana Mandap, Anand Bazaar and other sensitive locations to monitor the movement of devotees and prevent any untoward incidents.

Barricades have already been extended up to Market Chhak to facilitate orderly movement of pilgrims. Devotees will enter the temple through the designated barricaded route to avoid congestion during the festival.

The temple administration has also issued strict guidelines for the Snana Purnima rituals. Devotees will not be allowed to touch the deities either during the Pahandi procession or while the deities remain on the Snana Mandap. Standing close to or leaning against the deities has also been prohibited to preserve the sanctity of the rituals and protect the elaborate Gaja Besha decorations. Six specially trained police officers will assist the Daitapati servitors in maintaining discipline during the ceremonies.

According to the ritual schedule, 150 Ghantua servitors will play ceremonial bells while the deities are taken to the Snana Mandap, while 84 Ghantua servitors will perform the same duty during the return procession.

The Puri Police have also issued a detailed traffic advisory for the festival. Two-wheelers will be allowed only up to Market Chhak, while four-wheelers will be permitted via Shree Setu up to the JBPC parking area. Alternative parking arrangements have also been made in case the designated parking facilities reach full capacity.

With comprehensive security measures, traffic regulations and crowd management plans in place, the administration aims to ensure that devotees can witness the sacred Snana Yatra in a safe, orderly and spiritually fulfilling environment.

The post Puri Gears Up for Snana Purnima; 79 Platoons of Police Deployed, 10,000 Pahandi Tickets to Be Sold appeared first on Odisha Connect.