Mumbai: The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is celebrated annually on the Dwitiya Tithi, which is the second day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Asadh. This fortnight, known as Sharad Paksha is considered auspicious for spiritual observances. Asadh month in the Hindu lunar calendar generally corresponds to June or July in the Gregorian calendar.
In 2024, Ratha Yatra is scheduled for July 7, with the Dwitiya Tithi beginning at 4:26 am on July 7 and ending at 4:59 am on July 8.
Today, on July 7, Puri in Odisha is all geared up for the annual Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath, which will span two days, marking the first time in 53 years. Traditionally a one-day event, the festival last extended over two days in 1971.
This historic event, drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees, will feature a series of elaborate rituals and vibrant processions. Special arrangements have been made for dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, who is in Puri to witness the spectacle. Officials have ensured elaborate arrangements by the Odisha government for the smooth conduct of the festival, which typically spans a single day.
In a departure from tradition, some rituals involving the three sibling deities—Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra—will be consolidated into a single day, specifically on Sunday. The chariots are currently stationed at the Lion’s Gate of the Jagannath temple and will proceed to the Gundicha temple, where they will remain for a week. Devotees will participate in pulling the chariot on Sunday afternoon.
Unique Yatra rituals like ‘Nabajouban Darshan’ and ‘Netra Utsav’ are scheduled for Sunday. ‘Nabajouban Darshan’ traditionally showcases the rejuvenated appearance of the deities after their 15-day quarantine ritual called ‘Anasara’ following ‘Snana Purnima’.
According to mythology, the deities become ill due to extensive bathing on ‘Snana Purnima’ and subsequently stay indoors. Before ‘Nabajouban Darshan’, priests perform ‘Netra Utsav’, where the deities’ eyes are repainted symbolising refreshed vision.
An estimated crowd of 10-15 lakh people is expected at the festival venue. The state government has implemented extensive security measures and crowd control preparations for the festival. The Odisha government, in coordination with the Centre, has arranged for 180 platoons of security personnel (with each platoon comprising 30 personnel) to maintain law and order and manage the crowds. AI-based CCTV cameras have been installed at the festival venue, Badadanda, and other strategic locations across the town.
According to the schedule for the Rath Yatra in Puri, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb will perform the Chherapahanra ritual on the chariots by 4 pm. The wooden horses will then be fixed to the chariots, with the pulling set to begin at 5 pm. Lord Balabhadra will lead the procession on the Taladhwaja chariot, followed by Devi Subhadra on Darpadalana, and finally, Lord Jagannath will ride Nandighosa at the end.
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Rituals are underway for the procession in Puri.
Lord Sudarshan was the first to be escorted to Darpadalan, Devi Subhadra’s chariot. Following him, Lord Balabhadra was taken to his Taladhwaja chariot. Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, was brought to her Darpadalan chariot in a special procession by servitors and finally, Lord Jagannath to the Nandighosa chariot in a ceremonial procession amid the sounds of gongs.
Pahandi ritual has commenced for Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Rath Yatra.
The Pahandi ritual has commenced for Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. Following tradition, Mahaprabhu will be adorned with a Tahiya, a floral crown crafted by Raghavdas Math. According to the ‘Pahandi’ tradition, Sri Chakraraj Sudarshan is the first to be placed on the chariot, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and then Lord Jagannath. The three deities assemble at the northern exit with seven steps from the dance hall, marking the beginning of the Rath Yatra.
Amid chants of ‘Jai Jagannath,’ the sounds of gongs, conches, and cymbals resonated through the air at the Lion’s Gate of the Puri temple.
Puri abuzz with devotional energy as Rath Yatra begins soon.
The official X account of Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri shared the pictures of the three newly built chariots that have been consecrated for the holy procession.
ପବିତ୍ର ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ନିମନ୍ତେ ପରମ୍ପରା ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ତିନି ନବ ନିର୍ମିତ ରଥର ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠା ପୂଜା ସମ୍ପନ୍ନ ହୋଇଛି । #RathaYatra2024 #JaiJagannatha pic.twitter.com/2SJasIwbXH
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 7, 2024
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 7, 2024
ପବିତ୍ର ରଥ ଯାତ୍ରା ନିମନ୍ତେ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭକାମନା । #RathaYatra2024 #JaiJagannatha pic.twitter.com/788lyfqmRK
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 7, 2024
‘Pratistha Puja’ of the newly constructed ‘Rathas’:
The “Pratistha Puja” of the newly constructed “Rathas” has been performed as per tradition. pic.twitter.com/9SHvXgHib3
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 7, 2024
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to attend the Rath Yatra alongside lakhs of devotees in Puri.
She in her posts on X in Odia and Hindi, greeted people on the auspicious day, “I extend my heartiest greetings to all people of our country on the occasion of the world-famous Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath. Countless Jagannath lovers of the country and the world are eagerly waiting to see three deities on the chariot today.”
ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ବିଶ୍ୱ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ରଥଯାତ୍ରା ଉପଲକ୍ଷେ ମୁଁ ସମସ୍ତ ଦେଶବାସୀଙ୍କୁ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଜ୍ଞାପନ କରୁଛି । ଆଜି ଦେଶ ତଥା ବିଶ୍ଵର ଅଗଣିତ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥପ୍ରେମୀ ରଥ ଉପରେ ତିନି ଠାକୁରଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ପାଇଁ ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠାର ସହିତ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରିରହିଛନ୍ତି । ଏହି ମହାପର୍ବ ଅବସରରେ ମୁଁ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କର ସୁଖ, ଶାନ୍ତି ଓ ସମୃଦ୍ଧି ପାଇଁ…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 7, 2024
भगवान जगन्नाथ की विश्व प्रसिद्ध रथ यात्रा के अवसर पर मैं सभी देशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं देती हूं। आज देश-दुनिया के अनगिनत जगन्नाथ-प्रेमी रथ पर विराजमान तीनों भगवत्स्वरूपों के दर्शन हेतु उत्साह-पूर्वक प्रतीक्षा कर रहे हैं। इस महापर्व के अवसर पर महाप्रभु श्री जगन्नाथ से मैं…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 7, 2024
PM Modi shares a video post for the sacred Rath Yatra:
PM Modi shared a video post on his social media handle X and wrote, “Greetings on the start of the sacred Rath Yatra. We bow to Mahaprabhu Jagannath and pray that His blessings constantly remain upon us.”
Greetings on the start of the sacred Rath Yatra. We bow to Mahaprabhu Jagannath and pray that His blessings constantly remain upon us. pic.twitter.com/lMI170gQV2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 7, 2024
Devotees are congregating at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha for the Rath Yatra.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also shared a post on X:
Heartiest greetings to everyone today, on the auspicious occasion of the Ratha Yatra. May this day bring peace, amity and prosperity to all by the grace of Lord Jagannath.
Today, millions of people across Bengal will join the chariot festival. At historic Mahesh (where we…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 7, 2024
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Odisha for the Rath Yatra in a video message.
He offered prayers to Lord Jagannath, seeking the development of Odisha in all areas and the creation of a prosperous new Odisha through collective effort. Earlier, he announced a two-day holiday for the upcoming Rath Yatra on July 7 and 8, marking a special occasion not seen in 53 years.
In preparation for the Jagannath Rath Yatra festival, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, along with Deputy CMs KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, and other BJP leaders, engaged in a cleanliness drive in Puri on Saturday, a day ahead of Rath Yatra.
Additionally, Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have all conveyed their greetings to the people of India on this significant day.
Watch Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri live on DD Odia:
Jai Jagannath!
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