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Hans India
28-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Scores take part in Kavad yatra with gaiety
Visakhapatnam: Wielding a pole tied with holy water urns and chanting 'Har Har Mahadev', scores of Marwaris carried out 'Kavad Yatra 2025' in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. The spiritual procession is observed in the month of Sravan by the community. In Visakhapatnam, the event was organised by the Marwari Yuva Manch for the 23rd consecutive time. This year, over 2,000 devotees took part in the procession that commenced at 6 am from Madhavadhara temple and culminated at Jagannath temple located at Daspalla Hills. Upon concluding the yatra, the Marwaris offered the sacred water to 'Shivling' at the temple. The organisers said that the event was organised with the support of other community organisations, including Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, Terapanth Samaj, Kerala Kala Samithi, Maheshwari Yuva Manch. The police department extended its support in carrying out the yatra hassle-free. Marwari Yuva Manch president Bhupendra Khemka, secretary Arpit Maheshwari and treasurer Milan Jain mentioned that the yatra epitomises devotion, unity and cultural harmony.
Hans India
06-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Devotees pull chariot as Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra return to main temple
Visakhapatnam: Amidst sounds of cymbals and conches, the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra returned to the main temple of Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj after a brief sojourn at Gundicha temple. Known as 'Bahuda yatra', the return journey symbolically marked the completion of the deities' nine-day-long visit to their aunt's place. In Visakhapatnam, the return yatra is celebrated by the Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, a premier socio-cultural organisation of Odias, with spiritual fervour. Following 'Pahandi Bije' ritual, the deities were taken to the chariot. The yatra commenced after president of the samaj JK Nayak swept the platform as part of the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual. All along the route, artistes from Gayatri Kala Sangathan from Rayagada performed cultural programmes, including Dhimsa dance. Also, there was a presentation of Odissi and Kuchipudi dance performances by a team of artistes. The procession passed through Lawson's Bay Colony via VUDA Park and children's theatre before reaching the main temple near All India Radio. Marwadi Yuva Manch and Gurudwara Sadh Sangat reached out to devotees through voluntary services. A number of devotees took part in the yatra along with general secretary of the samaj Bimal Kumar Mahanta, among others.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Bahuda Yatra celebrated with grandeur in Vizag
Visakhapatnam: The deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on Saturday returned to the main temple at Daspalla hills near All India Radio from where they had come to the Gundicha temple at Lawsons Bay Colony on a sojourn for nine days on June 27. Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj (USS), a premier sociocultural organization in the city, organized the Rath Yatra. The deities were brought to the flower-decked chariot in a ritual called Pahandi Bije. After sweeping of the chariot platform by JK Nayak, the designated Gajapati and president of the USS, devotees pulled the chariot amidst devotional chanting and sankirtan. The Odisha govt deputed Gayatri Kala Sangathan performers from Rayagada who performed Dhimsha en route. Cultural artistes also performed various dance like Odissi, Kuchipudi, etc. USS general secretary Bimal Kumar Mahanta thanked everyone for the grand success of the Rath Yatra. The procession passed through Shanti Ashram, Vuda Park, Railway guest house, AU gate, and Vuda children's theatre to reach the main temple. Volunteers of Marwadi Yuva Manch provided drinking water and Gurudwara Saad Sangat distributed snacks. On reaching the main temple, the ritual of Lord Jagannath appeasing Devi Lakshmi by giving rasagollas was performed to open the door to allow Him and His siblings inside the sanctum sanctorum.
Hans India
28-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra idols given a tour along city streets
Visakhapatnam: As wheels of chariots rolled along Visakhapatnam streets, people came together to witness the grand procession of Lords Jagannath and Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra on July 27 (Friday). Chanting 'Haribol', 'Jai Jagannath' chariots were pulled all along the routes mapped for the purpose. Decked up in colourful chariots, the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were given a tour along the city routes. Celebrating the festival of chariots, ISKCON in Visakhapatnam organised a host of events. Like each year, this year too, three separate chariots for Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra were taken out in a single procession along the streets. Built with mechanised collapsible canopies of 37-ft height, the rathams were decked up in an impressive manner marking the occasion. The procession commenced from Central Park at Beach Road at 4 pm and passed via Daba Gardens, Jagadamba Junction, and Ram Nagar before concluding at Gurajada Kalakshetram at Siripuram. The colorful Ratha canopies were sourced from Pipili, Odisha to give a similar festival flavour celebrated in Puri. As part of the festival, artistes from different troupes in Andhra Pradesh, Bengal and Odisha presented cultural programmes. The procession concluded at Gurajada Kalakshetram wherein devotees assembled to witness cultural show. As many as 1,008 varieties of special dishes were offered to the deities on the stage followed by 'maha sandhya arati' with 108 'pradeepam programme'. The 18th annual Jagannath Rath Yatra was conducted with great spiritual grandeur under the leadership of Sambadas Prabhu, president of ISKCON, Visakhapatnam. The grand procession began as Mataji Nitaisevini inaugurated the yatra in a ceremonious manner. Visakhapatnam west constituency MLA PGVR Naidu (Ganababu) inaugurated the yatra. Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj After completing the cleansing rituals, Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, a premier socio-cultural organisation for Odias in the city, celebrated Rath Yatra with fervour. As part of it, deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra were taken out in a colourfully decorated chariot from the temple at Daspalla Hills to Gundicha temple at Lawson's Bay Colony. Following 'Pahandi Bije' ritual, the deities were taken to the chariot from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to their respective chariots. Then after sweeping the platform as part of the 'Chhera Pahanra' by the president of the samaj J K Nayak, the yatra commenced. Passing through VUDA Children Park, AU gate, The Park Hotel, the wheels of the chariot came to halt at the Gundicha temple at Lawson's Bay Colony where the deities will be in sojourn till July 5. Artistes presented cultural programmes all along the procession. Sankeertan was presented by the troupe deputed by the Odisha culture department. General secretary of the Samaj Binal Kumar Mahanta mentioned that a large number of people took part in the procession. Meanwhile, The Hare Krishna Movement took out a grand procession of the deities in a well-decorated floral chariot. From IIAM College, the procession passed via Isukathota Junction, Venkojipalem Junction, Appu Ghar before heading back to the IIAM College. Adding cultural flavor to the occasion, students of Kuchipudi Kala Kshetra performed dance on the occasion. People engaged in various devotional activities such as kirtans, bhajans and listened to spiritual discourses presented by the speakers.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vizag city gears up to celebrate Rath Yatra
Visakhapatnam: Symbolising the confluence of Indian culture, Vizag city is preparing to celebrate the chariot festival of Lord Jagannath in the style of Puri Rath Yatra on June 27 (Friday) at several locations throughout the city. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The authorities of the 185-year-old Lord Sri Jagannath Swamy Temple at the old-Town area in Vizag city, along with Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj and a few other organisations—UCA at Ukkunagaram, the township of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Visakhapatnam, will mark Rath Yatra in a grand fashion. The Lord Jagannath Swamy Temple in Vizag, which has stood for 185 years, will celebrate observe the festival of carrying the deities in a unique chariot. Apart from dignitaries, and prominent citizens, more than 12,000 devotees are expected to participate in the Rath Yatra celebration which would begin at Town Kotharoad and conclude at Turner's Choultry. Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, a leading socio-cultural organisation of Odias in Vizag city, will start the celebrations on June 27 with the Rath Yatra. Lord Jagannath and his deity siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra will be taken in a colourful procession to Sri Gundicha temple at Lawsons Bay Colony, with further celebrations planned for later. The deities will have sojourn at Sri Gundicha temple for nine days and then, return to the main temple in a procession called Bahuda Yatra on July 4. On the day of Rath Yatra, thousands of devotees are expected to gather at the Jagannath Swami temples throughout the city. Amid the sounds of conchs, and religious chants, the deities will be carried in their chariots to their aunt's house. Vizag city police will give special attention during the car festival to prevent any possibilty of stampede situation. The cops will impose certain traffic restrictions on June 27.
