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Time of India
8 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
18 years of vibrant tradition & devotion at RCM Rath Yatra
Bhubaneswar: Rath Yatra at RCM Jagannath Temple has become a cherished tradition with a vibrant celebration that draws over 40,000 devotees every year. Since its inception in 2007, following the inauguration of the main temple, the chariot festival has become a significant event for the local community and beyond, as thousands gather to witness the divine journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. Each year, as the deities emerge from their sanctum sanctorum, the air is filled with a palpable sense of devotion and reverence. The idols, crafted from the same wood and of similar size as those used in the Puri Jagannath Temple, hold immense significance for devotees, creating a spiritual connection. The origins of the RCM Jagannath Temple and its Rath Yatra are steeped in a fascinating tale. It all began with Prabir Pal, chairman of the temple trust, who was inspired by a mysterious meeting. An unidentified person urged him to establish the temple, akin to the Puri shrine. Sceptical yet intrigued, Pal visited the Puri temple, seeking a sign. To his astonishment, a servitor presented him with the 'agyan mala' of the deities, a gesture that solidified his resolve to build the temple. "With the blessings of the Lord and support of the Jagannath community in Puri, we successfully established our temple. Since then, we are organising the Rath Yatra and performing all rituals," said Pal, who performs the 'Chhera Pahanra' during the RCM Rath Yatra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Lexi Gaming Unleash Your Power. Dominate the Game. Lexi Gaming! Lexigaming Read More Undo Ranjan Mohanty, manager of the temple trust, said Pal, dressed as Gajapati, sweeps the chariot with a golden broom on Rath Yatra day. "We follow the same traditions which are followed during Puri Rath Yatra," he said. The festival is a spectacle to behold, featuring a 26-ft high chariot crafted by skilled carpenters from Begunia, a village renowned for its artisans. The chariot carries the deities to the Sri Gundicha Temple, located about 1.5km from the main temple, amid a sea of devotees. A unique aspect of the Rath Yatra is the enthusiastic participation of thousands of tribals from nearby areas. Dressed in their traditional attire, they perform Dhemsa dance, and drink Handia, adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the festival. Sarada Prasad Mishra, chief priest of the temple, said the rituals during Rath Yatra are meticulously observed. He said the deities, currently in Anasara Gruha, will undergo specific rituals before embarking on their journey. "We apply 'fuluri tel' and administer 'dasamularistha' to cure their fever before Rath Yatra. Both medicines are meticulously prepared following the steps prescribed in scriptures," Mishra said.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Odisha to patent terminologies associated with Puri Jagannath temple
Amid a controversy over the Mamata Banerjee government's use of the term 'Dham' for a newly built Jagannath temple in Digha in West Bengal, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), which oversees the affairs of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, has decided to patent names associated with the shrine. A recent managing committee meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has resolved to patent key words and symbols associated with the rituals and identity of the Shree Jagannath Temple. 'It has been resolved to patent all words associated with the rituals of the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri. We will apply for patenting of terms such as Shree Mandir, Jagannath Dham, Mahaprasad, Shreekhetra, Purusottam Dham, and the temple logo,' said SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee. According to Mr. Padhee, unplanned buildings mushrooming around the temple — which diminish the spiritual and architectural heritage of the area — will be redesigned to reflect Odisha's traditional architectural style. The State's Urban and Housing Development department will be approached to formulate a guideline or legal framework to regulate construction around the temple, he said. These regulations will also extend to the area surrounding the Shree Gundicha Temple, regarded as the abode of Lord Jagannath's aunt. As per the decision, no building in these zones will be allowed to exceed a certain height. However, it is the move to patent temple-related terms that has generated considerable public interest. According to SJTA Chief, the decision is aimed at preventing the misuse of these culturally significant terms by individuals or organizations, while preserving the sanctity, heritage value, and unique identity of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. Protests in Odisha over use of 'Dham' in Digha The backdrop to this decision is a recent controversy over the consecration of a temple in Digha, West Bengal. The participation of sevayats (traditional priests of the Jagannath Temple) in the rituals there — and the naming of the Digha temple as a 'Dham' — had sparked protests across Odisha. Several socio-cultural organizations staged demonstrations demanding that the term Dham be dropped from the Digha temple's name. Odisha has strongly objected to the use of Dham for the Digha temple, asserting that the term is traditionally and spiritually associated with Puri, one of the four cardinal pilgrimage sites (Char Dham) for Hindus. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi even wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urging the removal of the term from the Digha temple. Puri's titular king, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb — who chairs the temple's managing committee and performs the Chhera Pahanra (ceremonial sweeping of the chariots) during Rath Yatra — also requested the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to intervene. ISKCON has since clarified that it is only one of the 27 trustees of the Digha temple trust and its role is limited to conducting rituals and worship.
