Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: Amid the forecast for heavy rainfall in Odisha over the next two day, stage is set for the grand annual Rath Yatra or the chariot festival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday in the holy coastal city of Puri. President Droupadi Murmu will attend the annual Rath Yatra in in Puri on July 7, according to Rashtrapati Bhavan.


As per an official release, President Murmu is set be begin her four-day visit to the Odisha on Saturday. She will witness the Gundicha Jatra (Car Festival) of Lord Jagannath at Puri on July 7.

The Odisha police has made special security arrangements for the President's visit to Puri Rath Yatra. Speaking about the arrangements, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Kumar Sarangi said, "We are briefing the officers who are deployed for security at Puri for Rath Yatra. All the senior officers are present. We have separate security arrangements for the visit of the President."






According to Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, the preparations have already been completed for the annual chariot festival.


"In a glorified way, it will be done. Preparations are being made so that the devotees do not face any trouble," Harichandan told news agency ANI. 






Meanwhile, the Odisha government has already declared a two-day state holiday on July 7 and 8 to mark the upcoming Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024.


This year's Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri will be a unique event as it will be celebrated for just two days--given the convergence of significant rituals such as 'Nabajaubana Darshan,' 'Netra Utsav,' and the 'Gundicha Yatra' on July 7-- after 53 years.


Apart from Puri, the Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated with traditional fervour acorss several states in India incluring West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi.


Speaking about Rath Yatra preparations in Kolkata, ISKCON Vice President Radharamn Das said, "After Puri, Kolkata Rath Yatra is the biggest Rath Yatra. More than 20 lakh people from all over the world participated in the 9 day festival. Three chariots are very special and their design is also completely different. The chariot of Baldev ji is the biggest in height and its wheel is made of solid iron. Last 46 years, that wheel was rotating for Baldev ji but it was damaged. So this time we have installed new wheels."






Heavy Rains In Odisha For Next 3 Days


The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall across multiple districts of Odisha over the next three days.


According to IMD's Bhubaneswar regional centre, under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over East-central Bay of Bengal, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, and Malkangiri districts are expected to experience heavy rainfall on Saturday.


On July 7, heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated in Gajapati, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Puri, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, and Ganjam districts, news agency PTI report quoting the IMD bulletin.


The IMD has issued yellow warnings for Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Ganjam, and Kandhamal districts on July 8, and in Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar districts on July 9.


About Puri Rath Yatra


The Rath Yatra is the most important festival of Jagannath temple when the holy triad embarks on the annual nine-day sojourn to their birthplace, Gundicha Temple (the Yagnya Vedi or the Garden house of the Lord) around three kilometres far from the Jagannath Temple.


It is observed on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha month of the Hindu calendar every year. On the occasion, devotees cutting across all the sects and creeds gather in the holy city of Puri to get a glimpse of the divine siblings during the Rath Yatra.


As per the tradition, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabadhra and Devi Subhadra fall sick after they are bathed with 108 pitchers, full of scented water, during the Snan Yatra on the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month in the Hindu calendar. The day is considered as the birthday of the Lord Jagannath.


After falling sick, the deities remain in seclusion for 15 days. During the time, devotees are not allowed to have the darshan of the holy triad. This period is popularly known as the 'Anasara', when some secret rituals are performed by a particular group of servitors called 'Daitapati'.


The holy siblings are usually offered ayurvedic herbs, fruits among other things so that they recuperate fast from fever caused due to the sacred bath. 


After recovering, the deities give darshan to the devotees popularly called 'Nava Youvan Darshan' which is usually observed a day before the Rath Yatra.


However, this year the Nava Youvan Darshan, Netrotsav (an important ritual carried out by the priests) and Rath Yatra are falling on the same day after a gap of 53 years throwing a big challenge before the priests and the administration to complete all the rituals on time and ensure the pulling of chariots start by 5 pm on July 7.