Annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath begins in Odisha's Puri
The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, began in Odisha's temple town of Puri on Friday morning with the three deities embarking on their journey to the Sri Gundicha Temple for a nine-day sojourn. The chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra ahead of the Rath Yatra in Puri. (PTI)
After the rituals like mangal arati, abakash, tadap lagi, mailum, rosa homa, suryapuja, and offering of Gopal bhog to the deities, the servitors of the temple began the process of carrying the three deities from the temple to the decorated chariots placed on the Bada Danda or Grand Road. After Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb of the erstwhile Puri royal family does the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots, tens of thousands of devotees will pull chariots Nandighosa, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalan at 4pm.
The rituals leading up to the yatra included the Snana Purnima, wherein the deities were bathed with 108 pitchers of sanctified water, followed by a 15-day Anavasara period of seclusion. The Sri Gundicha Temple was cleaned and sanctified on June 26 during the Gundicha Marjana ritual for the deities' arrival.
Over a million devotees from across India and abroad gathered along the Bada Danda to witness the journey of the deities to the Gundicha Temple, their maternal home. Each chariot, constructed annually using five types of wood and standing 45 feet tall, is completed in just 58 days. The chariots, weighing over 200 tons, will carry the deities on their three-km journey to the Gundicha Temple, where they will reside for a week before returning on July 4 during the Bahuda Yatra.
The Odisha government has deployed over 10,000 security personnel and 275 AI-powered cameras across Puri to ensure an incident-free Rath Yatra. Puri police superintendent Vinit Agrawal said that three unauthorised drones were intercepted on Friday. The Indian Railways operated 365 special trains connecting Puri to states such as West Bengal and Bihar, and the state government deployed 800 buses for the devotees.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 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.
The Hindu
3 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.
Time of India
3 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.
