Kolkata: Iskcon Mayapur, Mahesh Rath Yatras Are Back After Two Covid Years. Huge Turnout Expected

Rath Yatra 2022 Date: Organisers of all three major rath yatras taken out in the city — Iskcon rath in Kolkata and Mayapur, and Mahesh in Serampore — are expecting a huge crowd on July 1.

File photo of Iskcon Rath Yatra in Kolkata. ( Image Source :Getty )

Rath Yatra 2022: After a two-year break due to Covid-19 pandemic, the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra is back in Kolkata. The organisers of all three major rath yatras taken out in the city — Iskcon rath in Kolkata and Mayapur, and Mahesh in Serampore — are expecting a huge crowd this year, with little restrictions in place, unlike the last two years. 

While Jagannath Rath Yatra is synonymous with the holy Odisha town of Puri, where this is the main festival of the year, the Kolkata rath yatras also see record turnouts. During the yatra, decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra are taken out as people celebrate the day with much fanfare and enthusiasm.

The authorities at the global Iskcon headquarters in Mayapur are expecting a few lakh devotees to turn up this year, according to reports. The Rath Yara from Gurusaday Road to the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata draws devotees from the neighbouring states of Assam, Jharkhand and Bihar too. 

Subroto Biswas, spokesperson for Iskcon Mayapur, has said devotees are expected from all over the world this year as the celebrations were muted in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid. 

To avoid a stampede-like situation that claimed at least three lives in Panihati during the Danda Mahotsav this year, the administration claims to have taken precautions and is making suitable safety arrangements for the people, according to media reports.

West Bengal also sees rath yatras in Guptipara (Hooghly), Amadpur near Kolkata, and Mahishadal.