Thousands Participate in Rath Yatra in Puri, Event Tinged with Tragedy

On Sunday, thousands of devotees pulled massive chariots from the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri to Gundicha temple, marking the start of Rath Yatra festivities in Odisha. However, the celebrations were overshadowed by the death of a devotee and eight others falling ill due to suffocation while pulling the chariots, officials reported.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the family of Lalit Bagarti from Balangir district, who passed away. He expressed his condolences and instructed officials to ensure the best medical care for the injured. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling stated he was personally monitoring the situation in Puri.

Key Rituals and Participation

The yatra commenced around 5.20 pm after Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanada Saraswati visited the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra with his disciples. The titular king of Puri completed the Chhera Pahanra chariot sweeping ritual. President Droupadi Murmu performed a parikrama of the three chariots and bowed before the deities.

The president, Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Majhi, and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan symbolically started the yatra by pulling the ropes of Nandighosh, Lord Jagannath's chariot. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also had a darshan of the sibling deities. The yatra halted after moving a few metres and will resume on Monday morning, deviating from tradition.

Devotees and Security Measures

Around a million devotees are estimated to have gathered for this annual festival. While most attendees were from Odisha and neighbouring states, many international devotees also participated in what is considered one of the largest religious processions globally. "With Lord Jagannath's blessings, we completed all rituals on time," said Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.

Tight security measures were implemented with 180 platoons of security personnel deployed, according to Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra. Artificial intelligence-based CCTV cameras were installed at Badadanda, the festival venue, and other strategic locations in the pilgrim town, said ADG law and order Sanjay Kumar.

Rituals and Ceremonies

The sibling deities ascended their respective chariots after completing the three-hour-long Pahandi ritual at 2.15 pm. Jai Jagannath chants and sounds of gongs, conches, and cymbals filled the air at Singha Dwar as Lord Sudarshan was first escorted to Darpadalan, Devi Subhadra's chariot. Following him, Lord Balabhadra was taken to his Taladhwaja chariot.

Goddess Subhadra was brought to her Darpadalan chariot in a special procession by servitors. Finally, Lord Jagannath was taken to his chariot amid ceremonial sounds. In the Pahandi ritual, deities are brought from the temple to their chariots. Descending from Ratna Sinhasana, their bejewelled throne, they were taken out through Baisi Pahacha's 22 steps via Singha Dwar.

Special Observations

This year’s Rath Yatra is being celebrated over two days. In a break from tradition, some rituals like Nabajouban Darshan and Netra Utsav were conducted on Sunday instead of ahead of Rath Yatra. "With a committed mindset, we completed 22 hours of rituals in eight hours," said Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, a senior temple servitor.

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator V Yadav remarked that everything happens as per Lord Jagannath's wishes. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Murmu shared her experience: "It was a deeply divine experience to witness Rath Yatra in Puri... For me, it was one of those blessed moments that make us aware of the presence of the Supreme Being."

A few people, including a policeman, were injured in a stampede-like situation while pulling Lord Balabhadra's chariot. The injured were sent to hospital for treatment. "May there be peace and prosperity around the world by Mahaprabhu Jagannath's grace!" President Murmu wrote.