Odisha Police have deployed 180 platoons (1 platoon comprise 30 personnel) of force and 1,000 officers to maintain law and order and crowd management during the Bahuda yatra.

The miniature Nandighosh, crafted by 47-year-old Satya Narayan Moharana, stands three inches tall and two inches wide, with the deity measuring just one inch in height.

Chairing a high-level meeting to oversee preparations for Lord Jagannath's annual Rath Yatra, Majhi underscored the festival's auspicious timing coinciding with the tenure of the new BJP government.

With the ‘anasar’ period reduced to 13 days as per the temple almanac, the Nabajouban Darshan for the public has been dropped.

A group of devotees were celebrating the festival with crackers. Suddenly, a splinter from the burning crackers struck the heap, leading to the explosion.

Patra has called it 'slip of tongue'. However, the Opposition unites in condemning the BJP leader.