BHUBANESWAR, July 18, 2013: With Bodh Gaya blasts triggering fears of terror, the return journey of the deities to the Jagannath Temple on Thursday will be a testing time for Puri district administration.

Considering the huge footfall of pilgrims, police said security has been heightened to thwart possible terror attacks in the temple town. Around 120 platoons of police force have been camping in Puri since July 10. "We are leaving nothing to chance. All arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of Bahuda Yatra," SP (Puri) Anup Kumar Sahoo said, adding, "We will adopt the same crowd management plan followed on Rath Yatra."

The nine-day annual sojourn would end with the deities making their homeward journey from Gundicha Temple. The temple administration has sought cooperation of priests of all nijogs (groups) to complete the rituals in time. On Rath Yatra, the delay in pulling of the chariots had pushed the event to the next day. "We will try to complete the task of pulling the chariots till Jagannath Temple on the very day," a temple officer said.

For proper traffic management, parking arrangements have been made at different places. "We have identified several parking places in and around the town. Heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter the town," Sahoo added.

Earlier on Wednesday, devotees made a beeline for Gundicha Temple on the occasion of Sandhya Darshan. The deities would appear in golden avatar (Suna Besha) outside their 12th century abode on Friday.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 18, 2013.