5 rituals that make Rath Yatra in Puri truly unforgettable
Every year, the town of Puri in Odisha bursts into colour, chants, and chariot wheels for Rath Yatra, the iconic festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath. But behind the grandeur lies a set of deeply rooted rituals that capture the heart of what this festival stands for devotion, humility, and the unity of people from all walks of life. Here's a look at the key traditions that define Rath Yatra.advertisement1. CHHERA PANHARA:One of the most powerful moments of Rath Yatra is Chhera Panhara. The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, who holds a royal position, comes out barefoot to sweep the area around the Lord's chariot using a golden broom. Before the chariot begins its journey, he also sprinkles sandalwood water and flower petals.This simple yet moving ritual shows that no one is above the Lord, not even a king. It reinforces the idea that every devotee is equal in the eyes of God. Dating back to the Ganga dynasty, this age-old practice is still followed with deep respect.2. BAHUDA YATRA:
After the deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra spend a few days at the Gundicha Temple, it's time for them to return. This part of the festival is known as Bahuda Yatra, which takes place on the 10th day (Ashadha Shukla Dasami).advertisementOn the way back, the chariots stop at the Mausimaa Temple, believed to be their aunt's home.Here, the deities are offered Poda Pitha, a traditional baked cake made with rice, jaggery, coconut, and lentils. Devotees eagerly await this part, as it marks the joyful conclusion of the grand procession.3. SUNA BESHAAfter returning to the main temple, the deities are dressed in lavish gold ornaments in a ritual called Suna Besha, which literally means 'Golden Attire.' This dazzling event draws massive crowds who come to catch a glimpse of the Lords glittering in gold.The ritual is a symbol of divine richness and generosity. It reminds devotees of the Lord's blessings and abundance.4. NILADRI BIJE:Niladri Bije marks the final step of the Rath Yatra. On this day, the deities re-enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple.According to belief, Goddess Lakshmi, who was left behind, questions Lord Jagannath about his long absence. After a brief divine drama, she welcomes him back warmly.It's a playful yet meaningful tradition that adds emotional depth to the conclusion of the festival.5. RASAGOLA DIVASA more recent but widely embraced part of Rath Yatra is Rasagola Divas. It's said that to please Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Jagannath offered her the famous rasagola, a syrupy white sweet that has since become synonymous with this day.Celebrated with joy, Rasagola Divas adds a flavourful finish to the spiritual journey, blending food with faith.- Ends
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First Post
21 minutes ago
- First Post
Reliance launches multi-pronged efforts to enrich Rath Yatra experience for lakhs of devotees
Through Anna Seva, Reliance Foundation will serve nourishing, hot meals to lakhs of visitors read more (File) The Rath Yatra starts today and will end on July 8. AFP Bhubaneswar: As Odisha gears up for the grand Rath Yatra, Reliance Industries Limited, in close collaboration with the Puri district administration, has launched a comprehensive series of efforts to ensure that visitors enjoy a safe, comfortable, and enriching journey. The annual chariot festival in Puri draws lakhs of devotees who gather to witness the majestic procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. Honouring the spirit of seva, Reliance Foundation, with its characteristic We Care spirit, is proud to support this 13-day sacred journey with meaningful contributions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Seva is deeply rooted in Reliance's 'We Care' philosophy, and the opportunity to serve devotees in Puri is truly a blessing. We believe that by serving pilgrims and personnel during the Rath Yatra, we are serving the divine. We are committed to enriching the experience of visitors through various initiatives, ranging from food to safety, making their journey smoother, safer and more comfortable,' said Shri Anant M Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries Limited. Key highlights of Reliance's Seva initiative: • Anna Seva: Reliance Foundation is serving hot, wholesome meals to lakhs of devotees and police personnel at six key locations along the yatra route, ensuring no one goes hungry. • Hygiene Focus: Installing contactless sanitisers at food stalls, supplying garbage bags for cleanliness in collaboration with the municipality, and extending sanitation amenities to police camps. • Crowd Management: Collaborating with municipal and police authorities to guide devotees with clear direction boards and markers, ensuring smooth navigation for visitors from afar. • Volunteer Support: Over 4,000 trained volunteers, wearing identifiable uniforms, will manage crowds and oversee water points to keep devotees hydrated in the summer heat. • Comfort in Heat: Distributing over 1.5 lakh eco-friendly hand fans to help pilgrims beat the heat. • Police Support: Setting up 100 police aid posts with shelters for on-duty personnel, offering accessible help points for devotees. • Weather Preparedness: Keeping the rainy season in mind, 3,500 raincoats have also been distributed among police staff. Volunteers, municipal staff, and police personnel will be provided with refreshment kits. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier this year, during Maha Kumbh 2025, Reliance had engaged in service for several lakhs of visitors in Prayagraj with initiatives from meals to health to transport services. With a strong commitment to supporting communities during spiritual events, Reliance has been demonstrating a deep commitment to ensure a safe, healthy, experience for all. The activities during this year's Rath Yatra at Shri Kshetra are yet another opportunity to serve humanity and the divine. About Reliance Foundation: Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited, aims to play a catalytic role in addressing India's development challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions. Led by Smt. Nita M Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation is relentlessly working for the overall well-being and enhanced quality of life for all, focusing on rural transformation, education, health, sports for development, disaster management, women empowerment, urban renewal and arts, culture and heritage, and has touched the lives of over 86 million people across India, in over 91,500 villages and urban locations. More on STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Follow Reliance Foundation on: X: Facebook: LinkedIn: Instagram: YouTube:
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Chariot procession, ‘aarti' mark first day of Jagannath Rath Yatra
Varanasi: With the boarding of the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra, and Subhadra on a palanquin at Assi temple for the 'nagar bhraman' (city tour) on Thursday late afternoon, the five-day Rath Yatra festival celebrations started in the city. Following a night stay at Beniram Bagh, the deities will boarded onto the 'rath' (chariot) on Friday morning. Amidst tight security arrangements, the traditional chariot procession of deities started from Assi temple. According to organisers, Rath Yatra Mela is one such rare festival when gods come out of their sanctum sanctorum and make a tour of the city to meet their devotees. Before reaching Beniram Bagh at night, aartis of deities were also performed at many places. For this Rath Yatra Mela, which is considered a replica of Puri's Rath Yatra and celebrated annually in Kashi since 1802, makeshift shops of colourful artefacts, handicrafts, toys and balloons, as well as the special attractions—the seasonal cookie shops called 'nankhatai'—mushroomed in the yatra area and roads leading to it. While a temporary control room for over 80 CCTV cameras installed to monitor the fair area was set up, the deployment of a heavy police force at the Rath Yatra area also started by Thursday late night. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo In view of the fair, the route diversion plan also became effective. ADCP (traffic) Anshuman Mishra said that this arrangement will be in effect daily between 4 pm and 3 am until June 30. As per the diversion plan, vehicles coming from BHU and Bhelupur towards Rath Yatra will be diverted from Kamachha to reach their destination via Akashvani and Mahmoorganj. Vehicles heading from Luxa to Rath Yatra will be redirected from Gurubagh intersection towards Neemamai intersection. They will reach their destination via Kamachha. Vehicles travelling from Sigra to Rath Yatra will be diverted from Sigra crossing towards Mahmoorganj and Sonia police post. Vehicles from Mahmoorganj heading to the yatra will be redirected from Akashvani intersection towards Sigra. Ambulances and funeral vehicles will be exempt from this restriction. Heavy vehicles towards Manduadih will reach via Mohansarai, Rohania, Chandpur, and Mudhela after the no-entry is lifted. Similarly, heavy vehicles heading to Sigra can proceed via Mohansarai, Rohania, Chandpur, Lahartara, Dharamshala, Englishia Line, and Maldahiya, while vehicles from Sigra to Harhua or Babatpur can reach their destination via Sigra, Maldahiya, Chowkaghat, Tadi Khana, Police Line intersection, Bhojubir, Gilat Bazaar, Tarna, and Harhua after the no-entry is lifted. There will be a complete ban on vehicles coming from Manduadih to Akashvani and Rath Yatra crossings.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Reliance launches multi-pronged efforts to enrich Puri Rath Yatra experience for lakhs of devotees
Puri (Odisha) [India], June 26 (ANI): As Odisha gears up for the grand Rath Yatra, Reliance Industries Limited, in close collaboration with the Puri district administration, has launched a comprehensive series of efforts to ensure that visitors enjoy a safe, comfortable, and enriching journey. The annual chariot festival in Puri draws lakhs of devotees who gather to witness the majestic procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. Honouring the spirit of seva, Reliance Foundation, with its characteristic We Care spirit, is proud to support this 13-day sacred journey with meaningful contributions. 'Seva is deeply rooted in Reliance's 'We Care' philosophy, and the opportunity to serve devotees in Puri is truly a blessing. We believe that by serving pilgrims and personnel during the Rath Yatra, we are serving the divine. We are committed to enriching the experience of visitors through various initiatives, ranging from food to safety, making their journey smoother, safer and more comfortable,' said Anant M Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries Limited. Reliance Foundation's Seva initiative is a comprehensive support effort for pilgrims and police personnel along the yatra route. It includes serving hot meals through the Anna Seva program, maintaining hygiene with contactless sanitisers and garbage bags, and aiding crowd management with direction boards and markers. Reliance Foundation is serving hot, wholesome meals to lakhs of devotees and police personnel at six key locations along the yatra route, ensuring no one goes hungry. Installing contactless sanitisers at food stalls, supplying garbage bags for cleanliness in collaboration with the municipality, and extending sanitation amenities to police camps. The foundation is collaborating with municipal and police authorities to guide devotees with clear direction boards and markers, ensuring smooth navigation for visitors from afar. Over 4,000 trained volunteers are deployed to manage crowds and water points, while eco-friendly hand fans are distributed to combat the heat. Keeping the rainy season in mind, the initiative also supports the police by setting up 100 aid posts and distributing 3,500 raincoats for the rainy season. Additionally, refreshment kits are provided to volunteers, municipal workers, and police personnel to ensure their comfort and well-being. Earlier this year, during Maha Kumbh 2025, Reliance had engaged in service for several lakhs of visitors in Prayagraj with initiatives from meals to health to transport services. With a strong commitment to supporting communities during spiritual events, Reliance has been demonstrating a deep commitment to ensure a safe, healthy experience for all. The activities during this year's Rath Yatra at Shri Kshetra are yet another opportunity to serve humanity and the divine. Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited, aims to play a catalytic role in addressing India's development challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions. Led by Nita M Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation is relentlessly working for the overall well-being and enhanced quality of life for all, focusing on rural transformation, education, health, sports for development, disaster management, women empowerment, urban renewal and arts, culture and heritage, and has touched the lives of over 86 million people across India, in over 91,500 villages and urban locations. (ANI)
