LED screens to telecast Puri Rath Yatra for lakhs of devotees

Bhubaneswar: The govt for the first time has decided to install giant LED screens across Puri and its outskirts to allow devotees to watch the Rath Yatra live on July 16 and access real-time information about the festival.The state information and public relations department has begun setting up 65 LED screens at strategic locations. The Bhumi Puja ritual for the first screen was performed on Monday in front of Shree Kaushalya Das mutt, near the southern side of the Jagannath Temple, in the presence of Puri district collector Dibya Jyoti Parida.“This is the first time LED screens are being installed for Rath Yatra in and around Puri. Devotees will not only witness the festival live but also receive vital updates about the progress and status of rituals,” said Santosh Sethi, district information and public relations officer.The screens will be placed along the beach, the Bhubaneswar-Puri national highway (NH‑316), the Puri-Konark Marine Drive, and the Puri-Brahmagiri road. Officials said the move is aimed at easing congestion on Grand Road, where lakhs of devotees gather every year to witness the chariot festival.“By watching live updates on the screens, devotees can plan their visit more conveniently. This will help prevent overcrowding and ensure smoother crowd management,” Sethi added.The initiative will also provide information on parking facilities, traffic diversions, and emergency services during the festival. “We want devotees to feel assured that they can participate in the Rath Yatra without confusion or chaos. Technology will act as a bridge between tradition and modern crowd management,” said another official of the department.