Historic Rath Yatra in Puri Sees Unprecedented Attendance

The historic Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri commenced with great fervor on Sunday, attracting lakhs of devotees. President Droupadi Murmu and several other dignitaries, including Union ministers and Puri Shankaracharya, attended the grand event.

The three-hour ‘Pahandi’ ritual, where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra ascend their chariots, began at 11.15 am and concluded at 2.15 pm. The ritual saw the deities taken from the ‘Ratna Sinhasana’ through the Lion’s Gate, accompanied by chants and music. The chariots now stand majestically facing east towards the Gundicha temple.

Puri Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati paid obeisance to the deities on their chariots, while Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to receive blessings from the Puri seer and Lord Jagannath. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also participated in the celebrations, with Patnaik praying for the welfare of Odisha’s people.

The Chherapahanra ritual, performed by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, saw the chariots ceremonially swept before being pulled by devotees. Odisha Minister Rabi Narayan Naik highlighted the event’s significance, noting it as the biggest festival for the state. Despite the challenging weather, the Grand Road was filled with devotees, and special arrangements were made for President Murmu, witnessing the two-day event for the first time in 53 years.

These comprehensive measures ensured a smooth and memorable Rath Yatra, reinforcing the festival’s cultural and spiritual importance in Odisha.