Tribals in Kotia soak in festive mood
Koraput: Defying overcast skies and a decades-long territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, Kotia in Koraput district's Pottangi block came alive with devotion and celebration as hundreds of tribals participated in the Rath Yatra Saturday, the second day of the festival.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Perched at an altitude of 1,024 metres above mean sea level and around 60 km from Koraput district headquarters, Kotia's Jagannath Temple established in 2002 by the Jagannath Temple Management Committee (JTMC) of Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput has been hosting the annual chariot festival with fervour. The second day of Rath Yatra marks the key rituals and festivities, drawing large tribal gatherings from across the region.
This year's celebration assumed added significance with the participation of five ministers from the state govt, including deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo and revenue minister Suresh Pujari. Other dignitaries included school and mass education minister Nityananda Gond, commerce and transport minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, fisheries and animal resources minister Gokulananda Mallik, Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi, Pottangi MLA and CLP leader Ramachandra Kadam, along with several MLAs and panchayat representatives.
"Kotia is an integral part of Odisha, and the state govt is committed to its development. Irrespective of political affiliations, everyone has come together for Rath Yatra celebrations," said Pujari.
Speaking about the govt's plan to address Kotia's issue, Pujari said a draft plan has been prepared after consultations with locals and leaders across the political spectrum.
This plan will soon be implemented with concrete steps, Pujari said, while emphasising the govt's broader commitment to developing border areas.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Key focus areas include housing for the homeless, hostel construction in model schools, and a proposal for a grand Jagannath temple in Kotia, alongside improvements in tourism, education, and healthcare.
Despite cloudy weather, the locals pulled the chariot nearly 300 metres to the Gundicha Temple with traditional pomp, setting off nine days of celebrations. Over the years, the festival has grown in popularity, attracting devotees even from beyond the Kotia panchayat.
Collector (Koraput) V. Keerthi Vasan said the festival has evolved into a major tribal festival, with traditional music, dance, and community participation enriching the celebrations.
The spirited turnout and vibrant celebration have not only boosted Kotia's cultural prominence but also reaffirmed the state's emotional and administrative bond with the region, he added.
As drums echoed across the hills and the decorated chariot rolled on, the Rath Yatra once again underscored Kotia's identity both as a sacred tribal space and a focal point of state's cultural and political landscape.
"We are thrilled to witness such massive participation from ministers, MPs, and MLAs. This day means a lot to our village," said Ajay Pangi, a local resident. Another villager, Laichama Gamel, echoed the sentiment, saying, "The involvement of top leaders reflects the govt's commitment to resolving Kotia's long-pending challenges."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
3 hours ago
- United News of India
Odisha CM, Law Minister must resign for Rath Yatra chaos, mismanagement, demands BJD
Bhubaneswar, June 28 (UNI) Coming down heavily on the BJP-led Odisha Government for the "chaos and glaring mismanagement" during the observance of Rath Yatra at Puri, the Opposition BJD today said Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan should own moral responsibility for the lapses and resign. The BJD also demanded the government must immediately disclose the official number of deceased and injured persons in the stampede that occurred. Stating that this year's Rath Yatra witnessed unprecedented disorder and mismanagement, BJD Vice President Pratap Jena said the spiritual emotions of millions of devotees who travelled from across the country and abroad to witness the divine Trinity have been deeply hurt. The government's assurance of a flawless Rath Yatra turned out to be "nothing more than an empty promise", he said. Pointing out the chaos in observance of the festival of the revered deities, he said Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha chariot did not move an inch until late evening, in "a serious breach of tradition". The chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra too failed to cross the Balagandi Chhak. Despite there being no provision to pull chariots after sunset, the chariot of Lord Jagannath was dragged forward by a few feet at 7:45 PM, only to symbolically fulfill ritual protocol — a move that hurt the religious sentiments of devotees, the senior BJD leader Jena said. Ironically both the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan shied away from the responsibility by casually saying, 'it happened according to the Lord's will.' BJD strongly condemned "such irresponsible statements" and reminded the state government that it is their duty to conduct the Rath Yatra with discipline and dignity. Despite holding valid passes, journalists were denied entry into the cordon zone and were manhandled by police personnel assigned to cordon duty. Nearly seven–eight senior journalists were injured during this incident, he rued. He also stated that even with a large police presence, devotees were left unsafe during the chariot pulling, and the traffic system completely collapsed. With over 1,000 injuries reported, at least eight individuals were admitted to ICU, and reports of two or more deaths have surfaced, he said. He demanded the state government must immediately disclose the official number of deceased and injured persons. BJD further blamed the government's reckless distribution of record-high cordon passes for the chaos. Approximately 10,000 cordon passes were issued this year, many of which were distributed through party workers. Shockingly, two ministers alone issued 6,000 passes, leading to uncontrolled crowds breaching the cordon, significantly delaying the chariot pulling. Before the Yatra began, during the Anasara period, there were reports that a few Modak which were offered to the Lord were stolen. Notably, during last year's Rath Yatra, Lord Balabhadra's idol had fallen during the Pahandi ceremony, an incident that emotionally affected devotees worldwide. Till date, no report has been made public to that effect even after a year. UNI XC RN
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Nothing unusual in Rath continuing for 2nd day: Min
Bhubaneswar: Rath Yatra in Puri turned into a political battleground with the govt and opposition locking horns over the annual event after pulling of chariots was stopped on Friday following massive surge in crowd. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The journey to Gundicha Temple resumed on Saturday. While BJD president and former chief minister called for "deep introspection" by the govt, former Odisha Congress president Prasad Harichandan sought judicial inquiry into the alleged "mismanagement". Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan in turn accused the opposition of politicising the sacred event. "I don't want to speak about people resorting to dirty politics on Mahaprabhu. They have insulted the Lord with so many deviations in the past," Harichandran said, indirectly referring to inadequacies when BJD and Congress governed the state. Defending the delay in the chariots reaching the Gundicha Temple, Prithiviraj said it was nothing unusual. "Most years, the chariots are pulled on the second day as well. There are very few examples of Lord Jagannath's rath reaching the Gundicha Temple on the first day," he said. In contrast, Naveen expressed concern over the event's management. Highlighting past incidents, the former CM pointed to last year's mishap when Lord Balabhadra's idol slipped during the Adapa Bije Pahandi. This year, he noted, "Nandighosh rath (chariot of Lord Jagannath) was still standing at the Singhadwar till 7:45pm, only to move a few metres before the day ended", leaving devotees "disenchanted and disillusioned. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now " Calling for introspection, Naveen wrote on X, "May Mahaprabhu Jagannath forgive all those responsible for the terrible mess that has overshadowed this divine festival this year." Pressing for a judicial probe after Niladri Bije, Prasad said the chariots seem to have been halted to accommodate corporate honchos. He also questioned the alleged issue of cordon pass to a woman friend of a blogger, who has come under scanner for suspected ISI links.
The Print
7 hours ago
- The Print
Patnaik expresses anguish over ‘terrible mess' during Rath Yatra, BJP hits back
'But it's impossible not to voice our deep concern and anguish over how things unfolded during the most sacred event in our state,' he said. In a social media post, the former chief minister said, 'All we can do is pray. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath forgive all those responsible for the terrible mess that has overshadowed this divine festival this year.' He stopped short of directly blaming the administration but said it was impossible not to voice concern over how events unfolded. Bhubaneswar, Jun 28 (PTI) A day after Lord Jagannath's chariot failed to reach its destination on time during the Rath Yatra in Puri, political tempers flared in Odisha on Saturday with BJD chief Naveen Patnaik calling the delay a 'terrible mess', prompting the ruling BJP to accuse the opposition party of engaging in 'vicious politics.' Patnaik, currently recuperating at a Mumbai hospital after surgery, expressed deep anguish over the disruption. 'The Nandighosh chariot stood still at the Singhadwar till 7.45 PM, only to move a few metres before the day ended. This has left lakhs of devotees disillusioned,' Patnaik wrote. In his post, Patnaik recalled that it is hard to forget that last year Lord Balabhadra's idol slipped during the 'Adapa Bije Pahandi' (procession on way to Shree Gundicha temple), a moment that left countless devotees shaken. Responding to Patnaik's remarks, state Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, without naming Patnaik, criticised the BJD for making 'political statements while recovering from jaundice,' implying that they don't understand the will of Lord Jagannath. 'In the past, the BJD government made mistakes and insulted Lord Jagannath. Since 1977, the chariots have always reached the Gundicha Temple on the second day,' he claimed. Harichandan also said this year's Rath Yatra had been 'incident-free' and warned, 'Those doing politics over the Lord's festival will face consequences—if not today, then tomorrow.' At a press conference, BJD vice-president Pratap Jena demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Law Minister Harichandan, holding them morally responsible for the delay and crowd mismanagement. Meanwhile, Congress leader and former minister Prasad Harichandan accused the BJP of sidelining experienced officials and letting party leaders handle the Rath Yatra arrangements. He also raised questions about the alleged influence of industrialist Gautam Adani on the scheduling of the chariot pulling. 'There were reports that Adani was to visit Puri and pull the chariot. Did the government postpone the pulling for his's visit?' he asked. Harichandan further cited a remark made by SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, who reportedly said that perhaps 'the Lord chose to stay back as some devotees didn't arrive.' 'Who was that comment directed at? Isn't it a hint toward Adani?' the Congress leader asked. The Congress also demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged mismanagement, claiming that over 600 devotees were injured or fell ill due to overcrowding. BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal rejected the opposition's claims, calling them baseless and politically motivated. 'The Rath Yatra has been conducted transparently and successfully. Congress's allegations about Adani show their weak mentality,' he said. Biswal also accused the previous BJD government of failing Lord Jagannath during the Nabakalebar festival in 2015. Meanwhile, after being halted on the night of June 27 due to the Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra getting stuck while negotiating a turn, the chariots reached their destination, Gundicha Temple, the deities aunt's residence around 1.30 pm. PTI AAM RG AAM MNB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
