Huge crowd of devotees in Puri Rath Yatra! Demand increased in Jagannath Dham, one has to pay more than ₹ 50,000 for one night stay

The world famous and sacred Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is starting from Thursday (July 16). The city of Puri is echoing with the chants of “Jai Jagannath”. Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad have reached this holy city to have darshan of their beloved deity; However, devotees are finding it very difficult to find a place to stay in this Mahakumbh of faith. The condition of hotels and Dharamshalas in Puri has become such that the budget of common devotees has completely deteriorated.

**The hotels were booked six months in advance**

There is huge enthusiasm among the devotees regarding this year’s Rath Yatra, which can be gauged from the fact that about 95% of the hotels, guest houses and lodges of Puri were booked six months in advance. Those who could not book on time are now finding it difficult to even get a room. There is no space left even to set foot in the main areas of the city like Grand Road, Beach and Temple Complex.

**Ordinary lodge rent more than ₹50,000**

The problem of accommodation in Puri has become so serious that hotel and lodge owners are charging arbitrary and exorbitant prices. Simple lodges or standard rooms, which usually cost ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 per night, are now priced at more than ₹50,000 per night.

At the same time, in some lodges located on the Grand Road, the rent for such rooms – from where the Rath Yatra procession can be seen directly from the windows or balcony – ranges between ₹ 1 lakh to ₹ 1.5 lakh. It has become impossible for middle and low income families to find a place to stay in the city. As a result, many devotees are forced to spend the night under the open sky at railway stations, bus stands and beaches.

**Administrative preparations and arrangements of ‘tent city’**

In view of the huge crowd and arbitrary prices charged by hotels, the Odisha government and Puri district administration are on full alert. The administration has made many temporary arrangements for the convenience of the devotees. Tent City: The administration has set up a tent city outside Puri, where accommodation, free water and toilet facilities have been provided for thousands of pilgrims. Helpline and strict monitoring: Special teams have been deployed to keep a check on black marketing and overcharging activities by hotels. The administration has appealed to the passengers to contact the official helpline for any complaints.

Security arrangements: More than 150 companies of security forces have been deployed in Puri to ensure that the Rath Yatra is conducted peacefully. Surveillance is being maintained through CCTV and drone cameras.