AMID chanting of “Jai Jagannath”, pulling of chariots of the sibling deities is underway on Grand Road of temple town, as the main part of the Rath Yatra festival on Thursday. One person died and many others fell ill in a temporary crowd surge during the Rath Yatra celebrations in Odisha’s Puri on Thursday, official sources said. Thousands of devotees first pulled the “Taladwaja” chariot of Lord Balabhadra and then Devi Subhadra’s “Darpadalan”. Lord Jagannath’s “Nandighosh” chariot will follow the two. The ‘raths’ are proceeding from the 12th-century shrine here towards Shree Gundicha temple, considered the birthplace of the deities, around 2.6 km away. The chariot pulling started after the ceremonial “Chhera Pahanra” (sweeping of chariots) by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb and Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati’s visit, a temple official said. Amid shouting “Hari Bol”, beating of cymbals and blowing of trumpets and conch shells, the celebration was witnessed by a large number of devotees as the rain subsided. President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday extended greetings on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra, terming the festival as a celebration of “our rich civilisational ethos” and an “emotional moment of union” between devotees and the Lord. Taking to X, President Murmu said: “On this sacred occasion of Mahaprabhu’s Rath Yatra, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all devotees of Shri Jagannath both in the country and abroad.” “It is a popular belief that during this great tradition of the holy procession, Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, along with Chakraraj Sudarshan, elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, meets the devotees. This emotional moment of union between the devotees and the Lord is unparalleled,” she added.

 

Vice President Radhakrishnan wrote in a post on X: “The sacred Rath Yatra reflects the values of faith, devotion, equality and collective harmony, bringing people together beyond all differences. It is a vibrant celebration of our rich civilisational ethos and enduring spiritual traditions.” “May the divine blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath inspire us to walk the path of righteousness, strengthen our collective resolve and foster peace and unity across our nation,” the Vice President said. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings on the Jagannath Rath Yatra, calling it a “radiant expression” of the country’s spiritual and cultural heritage and wishing for peace and prosperity in society. In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Greetings to everyone on the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra. This is a radiant expression of India’s timeless spiritual and cultural heritage. The traditions associated with the Rath Yatra have inspired generations across India and the world. They embody humility, collective participation and selfless service.” Earlier, the idols of the deities were carried to the chariots through “Pahandi” or the ceremonial procession. Shree Sudarshan was the first to board the chariot, followed by Devi Subhadra, Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath, a temple official said. Special arrangements have been made to drain out rainwater from the Grand Road and facilitate a smooth procession, as devotees will pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra along the thoroughfare from the shrine to the Shree Gundicha Temple. Heavy rain failed to dampen the spirits of devotees, who were seen dancing on the Grand Road and celebrating the chariot festival.