Latest news with #UltoRath
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Time of India
Week-long festivities draw to a close with Ulto Rath rituals
Kolkata/Digha: Thousands of tourists and devotees attended the inaugural Ulto Rath Yatra at Digha Jagannath Dham on Saturday, marking the conclusion of the week-long festivities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Although the rush was less than what was witnessed during Rath, the enthusiasm was palpable throughout the day. With entry to the temple being strictly monitored to avoid a stampede-like situation, devotees made a beeline for it, especially after the raths carrying Lord Jagannath arrived back at the temple. The administration deployed 1,500 police personnel and put in place extensive security and traffic measures to manage the gathering. Emergency services, including ambulances and fire trucks, were stationed at strategic locations. The chariot procession began at the Masirbari temple entrance and proceeded toward Jagannath Dham in the afternoon, with devotees lining up the entire route. Traffic restrictions were in effect since Friday midnight, with normal vehicular movement either restricted or completely shut beyond Digha Gate. "It was a nice feeling listening to hymns. Ideally, a fair, with relaxation on movement of traffic, will help make the festival even more popular," said Anjan Chakraborty, a visitor from Behala. Local businesses reported a significant surge in sales, with hotels seeing decent occupancy. "Ulto Rath falling on a Saturday helped our cause. This festival has brought unprecedented economic activity to our region," said a tour operator.
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Business Standard
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Bengal govt to keep air ambulance in Digha during Rath Yatra on July 5
The decision to keep an air ambulance in Digha during the 'Ulto Rath Yatra' of Lord Jagannath was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat on Wednesday Press Trust of India Kolkata The West Bengal government has decided to keep an air ambulance in Digha during the return car festival of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, an official said. The decision to keep an air ambulance in Digha during the 'Ulto Rath Yatra' (return car festival) of Lord Jagannath was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat on Wednesday, he said. "A helicopter has been asked to be deployed on the day of Ulto Rath on July 5. The helicopter operating agency has already been informed. The air ambulance will be kept on standby from noon on July 4. This arrangement is to avoid any delay in bringing someone sick to a hospital in Kolkata," he said. The state government is expecting a huge turnout of people during the return car festival of Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Digha on July 5, the official added. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the first 'Rath Yatra' from the newly constructed Jagannath temple in the coastal town of Digha on June 27. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
With Digha as Rathyatra focal point, Bengal showcases its brand of peaceful religiosity
1 2 Kolkata: Rathyatras held across Bengal on Friday with the one at Digha Jagannath temple at its epicentre showcased the non-aggressive tradition of the Hindu religion — distinct from the Ram Navami processions in Howrah and elsewhere in the state marked with the brandishing of swords and lathis. Across Bengal, the number of chariots swelled this time — from one or two to six and seven at each place — and all the rallies recorded huge footfall. This was seen not only at Digha, but at all traditional spots — Cooch Behar's Madan Mohan temple, Malda, East Midnapore's Mahishadal, Sutahata, Tamluk and Mecheda, Mahesh and Chandernagore in Hooghly, Barasat in North 24 Parganas, Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas, and of course Kolkata. The festive spirit united all, across gender and social strata, as chariots rolled down the streets. While Dona Ganguly is set to perform Odishi with her troupe in the 'Ulto Rath' mela on July 3, women in Cooch Behar danced to tunes of DJ as they scrambled to touch the ropes of the rath. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata In Mahishadal, royal family member Haraprasad Garg said the organisers were overwhelmed with the participation of women and youngsters at the event this year. "The crowd this year has broken all records. The participation of women was significant. I have come to know that some were injured in a stampede during the rathyatra," Garg said. Mahesh Jagannath Temple chief priest Piyal Adhikari endorsed the view. "The GT Road stretch close to our temple was choked as people who could not make it to Digha came to us," he said. In Bengal, where people breathe politics into every incident, men in para addas are now busy calculating which party — Trinamool or BJP — would gain out of religious processions in the state. As of now, no Chinese wall separates those participating in the Ram Navami processions and Friday's Rathyatras. In fact, there is an overlap of participants — the bottom line being they are all Hindus. It is believed that Lord Jagannath comes down from the temple during this time of the year and goes for an annual visit to his birthplace along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra. The servitors to this occasion are dalapatis, non-Brahmins who break the rigorous caste hierarchy. During his journey, Lord Jagannath halts at his maternal aunt's place and has sweet pancakes. The sweet story mingles beautifully with Bengal's culture, showcasing how Lord Jagannath was Bengal's own. Just like Lord Rama ruling the hearts of those from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, through culture and legends. The Bengal CM walked the extra mile by taking Lord Jagannath to remote villages from where people couldn't reach the yatras. Mamata Banerjee has sent a photograph of Lord Jagannath and the Lord's prasad to every household in Bengal. BJP and RSS could manage to take a few thousands from Bengal to the Ayodhya's Ram Mandir. Bengal BJP netas, who claim themselves to be the sole representatives of Hindus, have questioned religious credentials of Digha temple. Suvendu Adhikari even announced he would fetch the 'mahaprasadam' from Puri and distribute it among devotees. In other words, BJP netas couldn't ignore Digha's grand rath showcase. Former Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh had even attended the temple's opening. Interestingly, many TMC netas had taken out their own Ram Navami processions. While a section of political observers maintains that since participants are all Hindus, religious processions might consolidate sentiments and they might choose the party that has called itself the protector of Hindus. The majority, however, gives a clear advantage to Banerjee for choosing a religious motif close to hearts and taking everyone along. They believe that Lord Ram may not have much of an impact in the land of Goddess Durga, Maa Kali, and Lord Jagannath.
NDTV
28-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
3 Lakh Visit Jagannath Temple In Digha For Rath Yatra Festival: ISKCON
Digha, West Bengal: An estimated three lakh devotees visited the new Jagannath temple in Digha on the day of Rath Yatra and the preceding day, a senior ISKCON monk said. International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Vice-President Radharaman Das also told PTI that 70,000-1 lakh people are likely to visit the temple every day till the 'Ulto Rath' (return car festival) on July 4. ISKCON is entrusted with the job of performing the rituals and puja of the deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev and Devi Subhadra - in the Digha temple. "Altogether three lakh pilgrims visited the temple premises on the two days of Netrotsav (the day of the deities getting vision)," Das said on Saturday. Asked about the expected turnout of pilgrims in the coming week till 'Ulto Rath', he said, "We are anticipating 70,000-1 lakh devotees on an average every day." People are visiting the temple and their number has been steady every day despite intermittent rains, the monk said. All rituals are being performed before the deities now stationed at another temple, considered their aunt's place, which is around 750 metres from the main shrine, he said. Around 33 lakh people had visited the temple since its inauguration on April 30, Das said. A Digha Shankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) official said, "The seaside resort has also turned into a religious tourism hub in West Bengal. We expect the turnout to be higher by next year." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the temple in Digha in April.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
First Rath Yatra in Digha draws lakhs to seaside town
Digha: A sea of devotees swamped the road as the wheels of chariots rolled for the maiden Rath Yatra in Digha on Friday. In keeping with the tradition followed for the chariot festival in Puri, chief minister Mamata Banerjee took part in rituals, washed the road where the three chariots were parked, performed aarti with earthen lamps, and swept the path with a gold broom to set off the Rath Yatra from Jagannath Dham. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The rain could not dampen the festive fervour of devotees who started thronging the temple area with umbrellas since 6 am. The priests began the rituals around 9 am and the crowd swelled after 9.30 am, when the chariots decorated with flowers were parked outside the temple. The security in the precincts of the newly constructed Jagannath temple had been tightened since morning, and cops took a slew of measures to ensure smooth pedestrian traffic on barricaded pavements. A high alert was issued throughout Digha. Traffic on 116B National Highway leading from Old Digha to the Jagannath temple was shut. Over 20 police camps were set up, with more than 3,000 personnel deployed to implement the security arrangements monitored by senior officers of Kolkata Police, including DG Rajeev Kumar. Drop gates were also installed on the road leading to the temple. Around 10 am, the three deities boarded the chariots for the 'Pahandi Vijay' ritual. Devotional music played on stereo, and a dance performance by around 40 Iskcon devotees, mostly from abroad, entertained the audience. Around 2 pm, the CM reached the venue along with her cabinet colleagues and state ministers Aroop Biswas, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Sujit Bose, and Indranil Sen. There was a performance by children along with music from Madhab's rock band, after which, flanked by members of Iskcon, the CM set the wheels of the chariots rolling by pulling their ropes individually amid chants of "Jai Jagannath" by thousands of pilgrims, including foreigners. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Radharamn Das, a trustee of Digha Jagannath Dham and vice-president of Iskcon Kolkata, said, "The chariot festival in Digha has been organised following all the rituals of the Puri temple. However, as this is the first time the festival is being held here, the CM was adamant about not compromising on security. Therefore, the general public was not allowed to pull the chariot ropes. Instead, two ropes from the chariot were passed through a barricade, allowing everyone to touch them. " "The CM decided every aspect of this year's festival. Accordingly, Balabhadra's chariot was placed first, followed by Subhadra's. Jagannath's chariot brought up the rear," he said. All devotees and visitors at the temple received prasad on Friday. The district administration are now preparing for Ulto Rath on July 5. "Although the chief minister may not be present here during the return journey of the chariots, there will be no compromise on security," an official said.
