logo
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Glimpses From All Over India Of This Divine Celebration Beyond Puri- In PICS

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Glimpses From All Over India Of This Divine Celebration Beyond Puri- In PICS

India.com4 hours ago

photoDetails english 2923238
The sacred Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 is more than just a religious celebration—it's a spiritual journey of devotion, faith, and divine connection. Celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Puri, Odisha, and across India, the yatra marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to their aunt's temple, the Gundicha Temple. https://zeenews.india.com/photos/lifestyle/jagannath-rath-yatra-2025-glimpses-from-all-over-india-of-this-divine-celebration-beyond-puri-in-pics-2923252 Updated:Jun 27, 2025, 06:16 PM IST Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2025
1 / 9
The auspicious and much-revered Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra has commenced this year from June 27. The 15-day long festivity is celebrated with much gusto and enthusiasm among the devotees who visit the temple town of Puri in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Why Devotees Try To Touch The Chariot Rope
2 / 9
If you ever have noticed watching the videos or pictures from the famous Rath Yatra in Odisha, devotees try to touch the chariot rope of carrying the deities. But why? Well, let's try to find out here:
The holiness of the chariot rope is one of them. It is believed that the Lord himself comes to the human level to show and tell them that he is like any of his devotees. Simple love and faith can make any devotee witness the supreme power of the Lord's divinity. Ahmedabad
3 / 9
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with his son and ICC Chairman Jay Shah, offers prayers during Mangla Aarti of Shri Jagannath Temple on the occasion of Rath Yatra, in Ahmedabad. Digha
4 / 9
Priests take part in the 'Pahandi Vijay' ritual - taking of the deity from the temple to the chariot amidst musical ceremony, as the first-ever Rath Yatra commences at Digha Jagannath Temple. Hooghly
5 / 9
Devotees take part in a procession on the occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra, at Guptipara in Hooghly Puri
6 / 9
Sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo creates a sand art on the on the eve of Rath Yatra, in Puri. Digha
7 / 9
Priests offer 'Aarti' to Lord Jagannath as the first-ever Rath Yatra commences at Digha Jagannath Temple. Puri
8 / 9
Large number of devotees take part in the 'Pahandi Vijay' ritual - taking of the deity from the temple to the chariot amidst musical ceremony, of Lord Jagannath, in Puri. Puri
9 / 9
Devotees in large numbers take part in the Pahandi Vijay ritual of Lord Jagannath, taking the deity from the temple to the chariot, in Puri.
(With ANI Inputs)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Wheels Of Worship: What Is The Significance Of The Rath Yatra And The Pulling Of The Chariots?
Wheels Of Worship: What Is The Significance Of The Rath Yatra And The Pulling Of The Chariots?

News18

time2 hours ago

  • News18

Wheels Of Worship: What Is The Significance Of The Rath Yatra And The Pulling Of The Chariots?

Last Updated: This year, the grand chariot festival is taking place on Friday, June 27, upholding a tradition that spans centuries The Puri Rath Yatra is a remarkable display of deep spiritual devotion and cultural opulence, ranking among India's most important annual festivals. It attracts millions of pilgrims to the coastal town of Puri in Odisha. This year, the grand chariot festival is taking place on Friday, June 27, upholding a tradition that spans centuries. During this event, the deities of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and their sister Goddess Subhadra embark on a sacred journey in enormous wooden chariots. The festival begins with the auspicious Dwitiya Tithi (second day) of the Shukla Paksha in the Ashadha month according to the Hindu calendar. The most mesmerising aspect of the Rath Yatra is the pulling of the massive chariots through the 'Bada Danda", or Grand Avenue, towards the Gundicha Temple, which is believed to be the deities' aunt's home. The 3 chariots Each year, three distinct chariots are carefully constructed anew for the deities. Lord Jagannath's chariot, called 'Nandighosa", stands 45 feet tall with 18 wheels, making it the largest. Lord Balabhadra's chariot, 'Taladhwaja," is 44 feet high with 16 wheels, while Goddess Subhadra's chariot, 'Devadalana," is 43 feet tall with 14 wheels. These chariots are not just vehicles; they are beautifully decorated, symbolising the divine journey with vibrant colours, carvings, and motifs. The atmosphere The sight of millions of devotees crowding the streets of Puri to participate in the chariot pulling is a testament to their unwavering faith. People from various backgrounds, both from India and around the world, gather in Puri, often enduring challenging conditions for days, just to catch a glimpse of the deities and have the honour of touching the ropes that pull the chariots. The atmosphere is electrifying, filled with fervent chants of 'Jai Jagannath", devotional songs, and the rhythmic beats of traditional instruments. Devotees believe that simply touching the ropes or the chariots, or even witnessing the procession, cleanses them of sins and grants immense spiritual merit. It is estimated that over 10 to 12 lakh people have gathered in Puri for this year's Rath Yatra, creating a dense human wave that propels the colossal structures forward. Security and crowd management Managing such a large gathering is a monumental task. The Odisha Police, in collaboration with various agencies, has implemented an extensive security setup, deploying around 10,000 personnel on the ground. Advanced crowd management techniques are used, including surveillance with AI-enabled cameras, drone monitoring, and integrated control rooms positioned at critical points across the town. NSG snipers, bomb squads, and marine police are also part of the enhanced security measures to ensure a safe and orderly festival. Despite these meticulous arrangements, the sheer volume of devotees combined with humid conditions can pose challenges. On Friday, there were reports of over 200 devotees collapsing due to intense crowding, necessitating swift emergency medical responses. The rituals The rituals associated with the Rath Yatra are equally significant. Days before the main procession, the deities undergo a ceremonial bath known as Snana Purnima, followed by a period of seclusion during which they are believed to fall ill. On the day of the Yatra, the 'Pahandi Bije" sees the idols being majestically carried out of the main temple to their chariots amidst fervent chants. A particularly symbolic ritual is 'Chhera Pahanra," performed by the Gajapati King of Puri, who sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, signifying humility and the equality of all before the divine. After spending a week at the Gundicha Temple, the deities embark on their return journey, the 'Bahuda Yatra", culminating in their re-entry into the Jagannath Temple, marking the end of this nine-day spiritual extravaganza. The Puri Rath Yatra is more than just a festival; it is a living tradition, a powerful expression of devotion, and a testament to the enduring cultural heritage of Odisha.

Trifecta of Bonalu, Muharram and Jagannath Rath Yatra cause traffic disruptions across Hyderabad
Trifecta of Bonalu, Muharram and Jagannath Rath Yatra cause traffic disruptions across Hyderabad

The Hindu

time3 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Trifecta of Bonalu, Muharram and Jagannath Rath Yatra cause traffic disruptions across Hyderabad

Traffic movement across Hyderabad was partially disrupted on Friday as the city witnessed religious gatherings and processions related to Bonalu, the first day of Muharram, and the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra. Several key routes experienced slowdown through the day, particularly in the North and Central zones. Around noon, the Hyderabad Traffic Police, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), alerted commuters stating, 'Due to heavy flow of devotees to ISKCON Temple near Sangeet X Roads, movement of vehicles are slow from Parade Ground, SBI X Roads, YMCA Sec-bad, North Zone, St John's Rotary towards Sangeet X Roads.' Congestion in the area continued through the afternoon as devotees made their way to the temple. The Ratha Yatra procession, organised by ISKCON Abids, began from NTR Stadium near Indira Park and moved towards the Exhibition Grounds, passing through busy stretches of the central city. Traffic diversions were enforced in phases as the chariot procession advanced. While no major bottlenecks were reported, traffic was halted briefly at several points, including parts of Himayatnagar and MJ Market. In addition to the Rath Yatra, Muharram observances and Bonalu-related gatherings drew crowds in parts of the old city and Karwan, contributing to the slowdown in pockets of the South Zone. Traffic personnel were deployed across sensitive points to manage vehicle flow and reroute wherever required. Commuters navigating affected areas reported delays. 'I was heading from Parade Ground to Chilkalguda around 11.30 a.m., but it took me nearly 45 minutes due to the jam near YMCA,' said Karthik Reddy, a tech employee. Another commuter, Farheen Ahmed, who was travelling from St Johns Rotary to Tarnaka, said, 'The traffic moved painfully slow, especially around Sangeet X Roads. It was crowded and confusing with people trying to find alternate routes.' Officials confirmed that the overall situation remained under control and urged people to plan ahead and cooperate with traffic staff as similar restrictions may continue over the weekend in connection with religious events.

Rath Yatra 2025: Meet the engineer behind Lord Jagannath's chariot brakes
Rath Yatra 2025: Meet the engineer behind Lord Jagannath's chariot brakes

Time of India

time4 hours ago

  • Time of India

Rath Yatra 2025: Meet the engineer behind Lord Jagannath's chariot brakes

Every year, the grand Rath Yatra in Puri draws thousands of devotees. This year, the Rath Yatra falls on July 27, 2025, and the spiritual energy is already palpable in Puri. But few know the man working quietly behind the scenes, ensuring the towering chariots stop safely when needed. Aswin Kumar Mishra , a retired mechanical engineer from Jharsuguda, is the unsung hero behind the braking system of these divine juggernauts. It all started in 2007, when Aswin witnessed a near-miss as the massive chariots continued to roll forward even after the traditional wooden brakes were applied. Alarmed by the risk it posed to devotees, he decided to take matters into his own hands. By 2008, Aswin, along with fellow retired MCL employee Jaggu Benia and a dedicated team from Brajrajnagar, developed a new system to improve the chariot brakes. Their early attempts with ordinary rubber and nails failed. But they didn't give up. In 2010, success finally came with the use of specially designed big-headed steel nails and thick rubber sheets—crafted with layers of nylon, cotton, and rubber—secured to wooden logs that function as brake shoes. The materials are sourced from across the country: nails from Gujarat and rubber sheets tailored to withstand the immense weight and force of the rolling chariots. Installing the system takes nearly a full day per chariot. Yet, Aswin and his team never ask for payment. For them, it's pure seva—a humble offering to Lord Jagannath . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Aswin Kumar Mishra and his team is the one who came up with the current braking system in the Rath Yatra chariots. (Pic credit- TOI) The divine chariots roll again The Rath Yatra, observed on the second day of the Odia month of Ashadha Shukla Paksha, is the only time the sibling deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—emerge from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Descending the 22 holy steps of Baisi Pahacha, they are carried in a royal procession (Pahandi) through the Lion's Gate and onto the street.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store