Golden Attire Of Lord Jagannath Draws Massive Crowds In Puri

Bhubaneswar: Tens of thousands of devotees gathered to witness the sacred Suna Besha (Golden Garment) of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra in Puri, causing massive traffic jams on the Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway on Saturday, stranding passengers on the road for long hours.

The worst traffic jams were reported near Batagaon on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, where vehicles crawled bumper to bumper amid an endless stream of buses, private cars and two-wheelers heading towards the pilgrim town. As traffic moved at a snail’s pace, vehicles were stranded for almost an hour in some places.

Considered one of the most revered events of the Rath Yatra festivities, the annual Suna Besha ritual has attracted a large number of pilgrims from across Odisha and neighboring states, resulting in an unprecedented increase in vehicular movement along the highway.

To manage heavy traffic, the Commissionerate Police, district administration and traffic authorities have increased traffic regulation measures by deputing additional personnel at major intersections, sensitive areas and congestion points. Authorities were seen directing traffic and helping stranded passengers to ensure orderly movement.

Authorities appealed to worshipers to be patient, obey traffic rules and follow the instructions of police personnel on duty. Pilgrims have also been advised to check the latest traffic alerts before embarking on the journey to Puri.

As devotees continue to flock to the holy city for the much-awaited darshan of the gold-decorated deities, authorities expect traffic pressure on the Bhubaneswar-Puri corridor to remain heavy throughout the day.