PURI, July 1: The celebrations of the annual Puri Jagannath Rath yatra began
on Friday with the participation of lakhs of devotees after a lapse of two years due
to covid pandemic.
The yatra began with Pahandi rituals early in the morning. The idols of Lord
Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra were brought out of the sanctum
sanctorum and giant wooden chariots carrying the idols are being pulled by devotees
to Gundicha temple. The festival lasts 12 days when they return.
The yatra to Gundicha and back includes various rituals such as Chhera Panhara,
Charamala Phita, Ghoda, Sarathi Lagiba, Ratha Tana Arambha, Bahuda Jatra, Suna
Besha, Adhara Pana and Niladri Bije.
The police have made elaborate security arrangements as lakhs of devotees participate
in the festival.
"I convey my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of our country
on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra. The Rath Yatra of Odisha, depicting
the annual journey of Lord Jagannatha, considered to be an incarnation of Lord
Vishnu, witnesses the coming together of the entire community in celebration
of the grace and divinity of the Lord," Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said
in his greetings on the occasion of the festival.
