Rath Yatra: Puri turns fortress

The seaside pilgrim town of Puri Wednesday turned into a fortress, with deployment of over 10,000 security personnel, including NSG (National Security Guard) snipers, for the annual Rath Yatra of the sibling deities beginning June 27.

- PNN & AGENCIES

The security personnel participated in a rehearsal to prepare themselves to handle the lakhs of devotees, who will arrive in the town from every nook and cranny of the country and abroad to get a glimpse of the Trinity - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

The deities come out of the 12th-century shrine once a year to mingle with devotees cutting across caste, creed and religion.

As this year’s Rath Yatra will be held post-Pahalgam terror attack, security arrangements have been made keeping different aspects in view, a senior police officer said.