Rath Yatra celebrated with devotion and grandeur in Odisha's Angul
Angul (Odisha): The sacred festival of Rath Yatra was celebrated with great devotion and traditional splendor at Jagannath Temple in Dev Bhumi, Jindal Nagar, Angul, drawing thousands of devotees to witness the divine journey of the Chaturdha Murti -- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshan.
The day commenced with Mangala Arati at the Anasara Bedi, followed by a series of age-old rituals like Mailam and Tadapa Lagi. Devotees thronged the temple premises from early morning, immersing themselves in spiritual chants and devotional hymns.
The highlight of the celebration was the grand Pahandi Bije procession, where the deities were ceremonially brought to their beautifully decorated chariots. The atmosphere was electric with the sounds of conch shells, gongs, and chants of 'Haribol' reverberating through the air.
Adding to the sanctity of the occasion, Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal, accompanied by his wife Shallu Jindal and his mother, Savitri Jindal, MLA from Hisar, Haryana, actively participated in the rituals. Naveen Jindal performed the revered Chhera Pahanra -- the symbolic sweeping of the chariot platforms, a gesture of humility and devotion.
Speaking on the occasion, Naveen Jindal said, 'I extend my heartfelt wishes to everyone as Jagannath Yatra begins. I pray to the Lord for the welfare and happiness of all.'
At exactly 3 p.m., the much-awaited chariot pulling began. Hundreds of devotees and local villagers gathered with immense enthusiasm to pull the divine chariots -- a sacred act believed to bring blessings and prosperity.
Rath Yatra, celebrated in June-July, marks the journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to their aunt's abode, the Gundicha Temple. The deities remain there for nine days before returning, symbolising love, unity, and devotion.
About 10,000 security personnel, including eight companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, have been deployed to the seaside pilgrim town for the event.
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Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
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Time of India
2 hours ago
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Women pull Devi Subhadra's chariot in Berhampur
Berhampur: Women took centre stage at the Rath Yatra in Gosaninuagaon here as they exclusively pulled the chariot of Devi Subhadra. The unique practice, which mirrors a similar tradition in Mayurbhanj district's Baripada, has been a part of Berhampur's Rath Yatra celebrations since 2000. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The tradition of women pulling Subhadra's chariot began in Baripada in 1975. The silk city followed suit, offering women the opportunity to actively participate in the festival. Organisers said the number of women participating has grown each year, reflecting their enthusiasm and commitment. Panchanan Choudhury, manager of the Jagannath Temple Development Committee in Gosaninuagaon, highlighted the significance of the practice. "The temple committee has reserved Devi Subhadra's chariot for women to ensure they have a chance to participate in Rath Yatra," he said. The event was inaugurated by Sanghamitra Dalei, mayor of Berhampur Municipal Corporation, and K Rama Devi, wife of Berhampur MLA K Anil Kumar, who led the procession by pulling Devi Subhadra's chariot. The MLA commenced the pulling of Lord Jagannath's chariot. The procession, which covered a distance of around 1.5km from the temple to the Gundicha Temple, was conducted under tight security. SP (Berhampur), Saravana Vivek M, said adequate women police officers were deployed to ensure safety and manage the crowds. Dalei said, "Women do not have to jostle with their male counterparts to get closer to the chariot. The arrangement also protects them from potential harassment."
Time of India
2 hours ago
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Lessons learnt, ‘Pahandi' takes place smoothly
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