Rath Yatra 2025: Lord Jagannath's Yatra kickstarts in Puri
The Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, began on Friday, June 27, 2025, with the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra, being pulled by devotees. |
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Hindustan Times
35 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Chants & devotion fill streets as Lucknow marks Jagannath Rath Yatra
Chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Hare Krishna, Hare Rama' reverberated through several corners of the city that saw several processions taken out on Jagannath Rath Yatra on Friday. Devotees take part in a procession taken out by ISKCON on Jagannath Rath Yatra in Lucknow on Friday (Deepak Gupta/HT) While many walked barefoot for kilometres, several swept the roads that lay ahead of the chariots of deities Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra. In one of the parades, children dressed up as deities. Even elderly persons with difficulty walking also came to worship Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. All processions witnessed floral showers that continued throughout the procession. Members of Marwadi Gali Rath Yatra Committee promoted the idea of 'sarve bhavantu Shukinah' (may all be happy) with the help of banners. Along with the chants of 'Jai Jagannath', 'Jai Shri Krishna' and 'Jai Shri Ram', bhajans or devotional songs were also an integral part of the event. Geeta Singh, 72, who participated in the parade organised by Radha Madhav Mandir in Daliganj despite her age-related ailments. A walker in her hands, she walked with several devotees for some distance. 'When the lord calls his devotees, he also gives them strength,' said Singh. At a procession taken out from Chardham Mandir, it was like life completing a circle for Piyush Gupta, 42. With a plate filled with puja items in his hands, Gupta was accompanied by his children Shikha and Sanchi. He said the day reminded him of his father. 'We come to worship the deities during the Yatra without fail every year,' said Gupta. In the programme organised by International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) from Ravindralaya, several youngsters participated with a similar zeal. Shubham, 22, and Atharva, 19, who were sweeping the roads to pave the way for the chariot, said tasks like such filled them with gratitude. Gaudiya Math also observed the day. A procession on a boat was taken out by Lete Hue Hanumanji Mandir Committee.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Puri Rath Yatra 2025: What caused the delay in chariot pulling rituals?
The 2025 Rath Yatra in Puri faced an unexpected delay. This happened during the chariot-pulling. Lord Balabhadra's chariot faced maneuvering issues. A large crowd also disrupted the procession. Officials cited the turnout as a challenge. They plan to improve crowd management for future events. Rath Yatra is a major Hindu festival in Puri, Odisha. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads About Rath Yatra: The 2025 Rath Yatra in Puri, one of India's most revered religious events, experienced an unexpected delay during the chariot-pulling rituals, prompting concern and curiosity among devotees and per a report of Odisha-based OTV, the main cause of the disruption was a challenge in maneuvering Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja chariot at a key turning point on the Grand Road (Bada Danda). The massive, manually pulled wooden chariot took longer than usual to realign, temporarily bringing the sacred procession to a to the delay was the overwhelming crowd. A surge of devotees, far surpassing official estimates, entered cordoned-off areas despite strict security measures. This not only disrupted the flow of the chariots but also hampered coordination between the sevayats (temple servitors) and police Puri district administration and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) acknowledged the situation, citing the unexpected turnout as a major logistical challenge. According to a report by OTV, officials assured that lessons learned from the delay will be used to improve crowd management during the upcoming Bahuda Yatra and future Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is an annual Hindu celebration in Puri, Odisha, marking Lord Jagannath 's journey to Gundicha Temple with his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Held in the month of Ashadh (June–July), it is the oldest and largest Hindu chariot procession in India, drawing millions of devotees from across the globe.
United News of India
4 hours ago
- United News of India
Amid relentless downpour, over a million devotees throng Puri for grand Rath Yatra
Puri, June 27 (UNI) In an awe-inspiring convergence of devotion and divine grace, over a million pilgrims gathered in Puri today to witness the grand Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—eternal symbols of the divine journey and cosmic rhythm. Braving relentless monsoon showers and oppressive humidity, the faithful remained undeterred. Their hearts uplifted, they came to catch a glimpse of Mahaprabhu as he emerged from the sanctum and ascended his chariot for the revered nine-day sojourn to the Gundicha temple, accompanied by his divine siblings. According to the temple Panjika, a rare planetary alignment this year resulted in the compression of two significant rituals—Netra Utsav and Nabajouban Vesha—into a single, auspicious Thursday, intensifying the spiritual fervour preceding the Yatra. As the gates of Simhadwar opened and Lord Jagannath emerged, adorned with floral headgear and divine grace, the Badadanda (Grand Avenue) resonated with chants of 'Jai Jagannath,' 'Haribol,' and the rhythmic huluhuli (ululation) of women, enveloping the atmosphere in a trance-like devotion. Devotees, soaked in both rain and spiritual ecstasy, strained to glimpse their beloved Lord as He descended the temple steps in the traditional Pahandi procession, flanked by Daita servitors. While cool water from sprinklers eased the physical discomfort, it was unwavering faith that truly sustained the massive gathering. Beginning at Brahma Muhurta, priests performed the morning rituals, including Mangal Arati, Mailam, Tadapa Lagi, Abakasha, Surya Puja, and Rosa Homa. The deities were then dressed in fresh adornments and offered Khichdi Bhog—a simple yet sacred meal. At precisely 10:20 a.m., the ceremonial Dhadi Pahandi (processional entry in sequence) began. Lord Balabhadra was carried to the Taladhwaja, Devi Subhadra to the Darpadalan, and Lord Jagannath to the Nandighosh chariot. Their regal journey was accompanied by the rhythmic beats of ghantas, mridangas, conch shells, and classical Odissi dance performances that elevated the collective spirit. By 12:30 p.m., the Lord of the Universe had ascended His chariot. In keeping with ancient tradition, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Neeschalananda Saraswati of Govardhan Peeth offered prayers atop the sacred chariots, accompanied by his disciples. Soon after, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb arrived in a splendidly adorned palanquin to perform the Chhera Pahanra—a ceremonial sweeping of the chariot platforms with a golden broom—symbolizing humility in kingship and divine servitude. At 4:00 p.m., devotees were blessed with the opportunity to pull Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja. This was followed by Devi Subhadra's Darpadalan and then Lord Jagannath's majestic Nandighosh chariot. More than just a religious festival, the Rath Yatra is a cosmic choreography—an age-old divine drama reaffirming that the Lord descends to walk among His devotees. Prominent leaders including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers Pravati Parida and K.V. Singhdeo, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, and Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were present to witness the celestial procession. Amid heightened security concerns following the recent Pahalgam incident, the holy city was transformed into a fortress of vigilance. Over 10,000 personnel—including RAF, NDRF, NSG, anti-drone units, and AI-monitored surveillance teams—ensured seamless security. The Navy, Coast Guard, and Odisha Marine Police scanned the coastline, while lifeguards were deployed along the seashore to prevent drowning incidents. Despite adverse weather, fire service personnel and NGO volunteers worked tirelessly—sprinkling water to cool the crowds, assisting fainting devotees, and attending to injuries on the beach. Nearly a thousand devotees were treated and later discharged, their devotion unshaken. District Magistrate Sidharth Sankar Swain, SP Vinit Agarwal, SJTA Chief Administrator Aravind Padhee, DGP Y.B. Khurania, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and other top officials coordinated efforts with unwavering commitment to ensure a flawless event. As the chariots prepare to roll forward and lakhs chant, "Jagannath Swami Nayana Patha Gami Bhavatu Me", the divine message is clear—Lord Jagannath comes forth, not only to bless the world but to become a part of it. UNI XC DP BM
