In Odisha, the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan is being held today in the holy town of Puri. President Droupadi Murmu will join the annual festival which attracts lakhs of devotees from different parts of the world. The Odisha government has made all arrangements to ensure the festival proceeds smoothly and also for the President’s visit. Two-day public holiday has been declared by the state government for today and tomorrow for the Rath Yatra. More from our Akashvani Odisha Correspondent reports that the world-famous Rath Yatra for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan is typically a one-day event but due to specific celestial arrangements, it will span two days this year, a rarity last seen in 1971. The chariots are positioned in front of the Lion’s Gate of the Sri Jagannath temple and are ready to be taken to the Sri Gundicha temple, where they will remain for a week. Devotees will pull the chariots this afternoon after all rituals are over.
Departing from customary practice, several rituals involving the three sibling deities, Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra, will be performed on a single day. This year, the Rath Yatra and associated rituals like ‘Nabajouban Darshan’ and ‘Netra Utsav’ will all take today. Typically, these rituals are conducted before the Rath Yatra. The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is believed to be as ancient as the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri. The festival marks the Holy Trinity’s journey to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi’s Temple, and concludes with their return after eight days.
Disclaimer: This press release is sourced from News On AIR, Prasar Bharti and Press Information Bureau India (PIB).
