Jagamara festival preserves tradition & celebrates heritage

Time of India

7 hours ago

Bhubaneswar: Rath Yatra at Jagamara promises to be a grander and more inclusive celebration this year. From adhering to the rituals of Puri Jagannath Temple to carrying out a procession of traditional folk performances, the event is all set to bring to life the rich cultural heritage of Odisha.
Preparations are in the final stages for the annual sojourn of the sibling deities to their aunt's house, a nine-day-long celebration.
"Rath Yatra is one of the most lively festivals when Lord Jagannath and his siblings come out from their abode and mingle with the crowd. We are putting all efforts to make this year's Rath Yatra grander and smoother," said Ajay Kumar Patnaik, secretary of Sri Jagannath Mandira Parichalana Trust.
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When the chariot is pulled on the Khandagiri-Gandamunda road, it mirrors the Bada Danda in Puri. "We get support from all authorities, including police, BMC, electricity, water resources, Watco, roads and buildings and other line departments to make the festival a grand success," said Patnaik.
Begun in 2011, the Jagamara Rath Yatra is instrumental in preserving the traditional and folk art forms that make the event special.
The vibrant chariot, the echo of conch shells, the swirl of dancers, and the collective spirit of a community coming together create a divine atmosphere and make the Rath Yatra unique in the city.
"Apart from celebrating Rath Yatra, we try to preserve the dying art forms and folk traditions of Odisha. A variety of dance troupes and cultural groups accompany the procession, making it a visual treat and cultural spectacle," said Sarat Mishra, president of the organising committee.
Not only the residents of Jagamara and Dharma Vihar, but people from Khandagiri, Gandamunda and other nearby localities eagerly participate in the Rath Yatra. Local youths play a vital role, be it in chariot decoration, coordinating cultural programmes, or managing logistics. More than 80 volunteers will be engaged in crowd management and maintaining discipline during chariot pulling.
"From Snan Purnima to Niladri Bije, all members of the managing committee follow a restricted lifestyle. They abstain from eating non-vegetarian food and ensure all rituals are held with precision and devotion. It preserves our traditions while also adapting to the spirit of the times. It is heartening to see young people taking such a keen interest in preserving and performing our folk arts," said Raghunath Mohanty, former corporator of the locality, who performs 'Chhera Pahanra'.