Post News Network
Puri, Sept 6: As many as 10,26,354 people, including 304 foreigners, had gathered in the holy town during this year’s Nabakalebara Srigundicha Yatra, according to an estimation conducted by the district tourism department.
Data from the district tourism office says Puri town witnessed the presence of 8,86,752 people during the Bahuda Yatra of the deities of Srimandir. However, the Suna Besa ritual of Lord Jagannath and His siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra attracted the highest number of people, precisely 12,43,633, to the city. Altogether 237 persons from foreign countries had visited the city on the two occasions.
“As many as 4,53,254 people had reached the city through buses while 2,31,600 used trains. The presence of local residents and their guests has been pegged at 3,26,500 during this year’s Srigundicha Yatra. Besides, 15,000 police personnel and government officials were present on the occasion,” said district tourism officer Bijay Kumar Jena.
According to him, altogether 3,68,052 people were transported to the holy town through buses during the Nabakalebara Bahuda Yatra while 1,77,200 availed the railway service. The number of locals and their guests was estimated at 3,26,500. Moreover, 15,000 officials and security personnel were present on the occasion.
Tourism department sources said altogether 7,06,564 people, including 184 from abroad, had congregated in the holy coastal town during the Srigundicha Yatra in 2013. Similarly, 7,67,679 people, including 212 from foreign countries, had gathered during the Srigundicha Yatra in 2014.
