The streets of Puri came alive with chants of “Jai Jagannath” as lakhs of devotees gathered on Thursday for the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of India’s largest and most revered religious festivals. People from across the country and abroad joined the celebrations, turning the temple town into a sea of faith and colour.
The festivities began with traditional rituals at the Jagannath Temple, following which Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra were ceremonially placed on their beautifully decorated wooden chariots. The three majestic chariots then started their journey along the Grand Road towards the Gundicha Temple, around three kilometres away.
Devotees eagerly pulled the giant chariots using thick ropes, believing the act brings blessings and spiritual merit. The atmosphere was filled with devotional songs, drumbeats and continuous chants as thousands watched the grand procession move slowly through the city.
Authorities had made extensive arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. Thousands of security personnel were deployed across Puri, while surveillance cameras, medical teams and emergency services remained on standby to manage the massive crowds.
The celebrations were not limited to Odisha. In Ahmedabad, the city’s historic 149th Jagannath Rath Yatra also began with great enthusiasm. Union Home Minister Amit Shah offered the traditional Mangala Aarti at the Jagannath Temple before the procession started. The yatra featured decorated chariots, elephants, cultural performances and religious tableaux, drawing large crowds along the route.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated every year to mark Lord Jagannath’s journey to the Gundicha Temple, believed to be his aunt’s home. While the festival is observed in many parts of the country, the Puri Rath Yatra remains the most significant and attracts millions of devotees.
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