Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra: President Murmu Joins Sea Of Devotees In Puri For Grand 2-Day Festival — Updates

Puri's grand Rath Yatra began with Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra ascending their chariots amid chanting and music. Shankaracharya, Union ministers, and President Murmu attended the ceremony.

Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra: In a vibrant display of devotion, the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in Puri on Sunday, drawing lakhs of devotees to witness the grand spectacle. The three-hour-long 'Pahandi' ritual, marking the start of the Yatra, saw Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra ascend their respective chariots amid chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and the reverberating sounds of gongs, conches, and cymbals at the Lion's Gate of the Jagannath temple.

Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra: Puri Shankaracharya Pays Obeisance To Holy Trinity, President Droupadi Murmu Witnesses Ceremony

• The ritual began around 11.15 am, with Lord Sudarshan being the first to be escorted to Darpadalan, the chariot of Devi Subhadra. Following this, Lord Balabhadra was taken to his Taladhwaja chariot, and Goddess Subhadra was brought to her chariot in a special procession by the servitors. Finally, amid a ceremonial procession, Lord Jagannath was taken to the Nandighosa chariot, completing the 'Pahandi' ritual around 2.15 pm.
  
  
  


• Descending from the 'Ratna Sinhasana', the bejewelled throne, the deities were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as 'Baisi Pahacha' through the Lion's Gate. Prior to this, several rituals like 'Mangla Arati' and 'Mailam' were performed. The three majestic chariots, now standing tall in front of the Singha Dwar of the temple, face east towards the Gundicha temple.
  
  
  


• Following the completion of the Pahandi ritual, Puri Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati paid obeisance to the holy trinity on their chariots. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, along with several state ministers, visited the Shankaracharya. Pradhan remarked, "On the occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, I have come here as have lakhs of other devotees. I got the opportunity to meet Puri Shankaracharya. I am delighted to get guidance from the Puri seer along with the blessings of Lord Jagannath."
  
  


• Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and President Droupadi Murmu also arrived at the Grand Road outside the temple to partake in the festivities.
  
  
  BJD President and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who also graced the ceremony, stated, "I prayed for the welfare of the people of the state. 'Jai Jagannath'."
  
  
  
  
  


• One of the key rituals, the Chherapahanra of the chariots, was performed by Dibyasingha Deb, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, who swept the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings before they were ceremoniously pulled by the devotees. The procession began with Lord Balabhadra leading the chariot procession riding Taladhwaja, followed by Devi Subhadra in Darpadalana, and finally, Lord Jagannath riding Nandighosa.
  
  


• Odisha Minister Rabi Narayan Naik told ANI, "...This is the biggest festival for the people of Odisha...The chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings - Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra will reach Gundicha Temple in two days."
  
  

Despite the heat and humidity, the Grand Road transformed into an ocean of humanity, as lakhs of devotees congregated at Badadanda to participate in the Rath Yatra. The backdrop of three colourful chariots and the decorated temple added to the festive atmosphere. Special arrangements were made to accommodate President Murmu, who was slated to witness the two-day event, marking the first time in 53 years that the Rath Yatra extends over two days.