PURI: An unprecedented security has been mounted for the world famous annual Rath Yatra tomorrow in this holy city in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attack at the Ramjanmabhoomi complex at Ayodhya.

Nearly 64 platoons of armed police, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), were deployed for smooth conduct of the fete.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Santosh Kumar Upadhyay said plainclothed police and intelligence personnel would keep a close vigil at all strategic places. Hotels, lodgings and mutts have been intensively searched and rooftops around the temple and along the grand road were kept under close surveillance.

This apart, special task force personnel equipped with bomb disposal units would guard all entry points to the city. Sniffer dogs were being used to detect hidden explosives while snipers were on alert to face any eventualities.

Director General of Police (DGP) Suchit Das had been personally supervising the police arrangements. A contingency plan had been evolved to meet any eventuality.

Meanwhile, hundreds of traditional temple carpenters, blacksmiths, painters and tailors completed the three gigantic rathas within sixty days for the big event.

The three chariots -- Nandighosh, Taldhawaja and Darpadalan --would be veered to the Lions gate from the construction yard and parked in front of the temple gate facing east to begin the nine day sojourn of the three presiding deities of Jagannath Temple.

The presiding deities Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra would go to the Gundicha temple riding the chariots along the three kilometre grand road tomorrow.

Their return journey on July 16, called `Bahuda', would be in the same manner and style. The deities would enter the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple after observance of the famous `Suna Vesha' on July 18 atop their respective chariots.

As per the festival programme released by the Jagannath temple administration, the devotees would be allowed a darshan popularly called "Naba Youban darshan'' (new youthful appearance) today after a gap of 15 days.

Lakhs of devotees from every nook and corner of the country have already arrived in the pilgrim city to witness the grand car festival.

After a complex set of rituals such as `mangal arati', Surya puja and offering of Gopal bhog early on Friday, the deities would be escorted by the Daita servitors in a ceremonial `Pahandi' procession to their respective chariots one after another at about 9-30 am.

The ceremonial Pahandi would be completed by 12-30 pm. On the outer side of the temple the priests would consecrate the chariots by organising "ratha pratistha homa" and servitors fashion the insignia and the flags atop the rathas.

The `Chherapahanra' ceremony (sweeping of the ratha decks by the Puri king Gajapati Divyasingh Deo by a golden broom) would begin at 1-30 pm and the whole process is expected to be completed by 3 pm.

The chariots would be pulled at 4 pm amid tight security cover from the Lions gate to the Gundicha temple.

The entire city has been illuminated and over 40 ambulance units had been kept in readiness. Hundreds of lifeguards would also be on duty on the sea beach to ensure safe bathing of devotees. -- UNI

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