Australia to host Rath Yatra this year

Australia will play host to the vibrant Rath Yatra this year, a notable cultural occasion eagerly anticipated by the Odia community residing in the country. 

This proposed initiative followed a meeting between Odia community representatives from Australia and Odisha Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Sunday, where the festival’s inauguration in Sydney was proposed. 

The discussion also witnessed participation from Ashrit Pattanayak, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Pipili, alongside enthusiastic members of the Odia diaspora.

A traditional highlight of the Rath Yatra, the chariot will be bedecked with the iconic Pipili Chandua. This elaborate ceremonial canopy, which will be 20 feet in length with a diameter of 50 feet, promises to bring a slice of Odisha to Sydney. 

Skilled artisans from Pipili have actively contributed to the preparations, ensuring that cultural authenticity is maintained.

Must Read: Rath Yatra is conducted on water instead of land here in Odisha

In support of this cultural event, Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has sanctioned an initial grant of Rs 51,000. This financial input is expected to aid in executing a vibrant and successful Rath Yatra, allowing the event to resonate with Odia traditions and engage the wider Australian multicultural landscape.