Tag: Rath Yatra

Historians opine that sometime in 1230s Jagannath triad emerged in the Puri temple and hence, Ratha Yatra of the three must have started thereafter.

For this combined, hybrid model of Pidha and rekha style of Kalinga architecture, one has to go to the 14th century Bhaskaresvara temple

Spirituality is at its peak on Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Puri as the sibling deities were ushered out of their abode in Pahandi Bije on Rath Yatra today. In the three colourful and gigantic chariots, the Trinity embarks on a nine day sojourn to their aunt's place - Gundicha temple.

Before the commencement of the Rath Yatra, Union Home Minister Amit Shah performed 'mangla aarti' (auspicious ritual to pay obeisance to Lord) of the deities in the temple in the early hours.

Meanwhile, devotees have flock to Badadanda in large number to witness the annual sojourn of the Holy Trinity.

The three gigantic chariots of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are decked up and ready outside Srimandir for their annual sojourn to Gundicha temple on Friday (July 1).

Earlier, the sister duo had presented Sambalpuri folk songs, ‘Dalkhai Re’ and ‘Rangabati’. The sister duo dressed in Sambalpur sarees accessorized with Odissi dance ornaments and tribal headgears, and strummed their ukulele to the folk songs.

A day before the sibling deities undertake their sojourn to their aunt’s place, the chariots were pulled to Singhadhar of Puri Jagannath temple after the Agyan Mala bije rituals. The mega event is being held with public participation after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

Ahead of Rath Yatra 2022 all the preparations are in full swing. The traffic police and Red Cross conducted a green corridor mock drill on the Grand Road in Puri on Tuesday. The Red Cross and traffic police officials conducted the mock drill by forming human chain and clearing way for movement of ambulance during emergency.

Health Director, Bijay Mohapatra informed that 69 first-aid centers have been set up in the pilgrim town. Various hospitals in Puri are also equipped with additional 287 beds, and 26 AC beds keeping in view the humid conditions. A total of 145 doctors, 7 food safety officers, 40 pharmacists, 30 nursing officers and 45 health officers will also be deployed.

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has taken necessary steps to facilitate pilgrims with reserved class accommodation, for the trains leaving from its jurisdiction towards Puri and vice-versa, apart from the special trains from neighboring States.

Around 10 lakh people are expected to gather for the festival in the temple town from across the country, and some foreign nations, Director of Health Service Bijay Mohapatra said.

 “I would like to request devotees to follow the traffic rules while coming to the holy city. We have also designated adequate number of parking spaces for them,” DGP Sunil Bansal informed.  

The carpenters engaged in chariot construction do not have any formal training. They only have knowledge and techniques that have been trickled down from their forefathers, Mohanty pointed out.

‘Banakalagi' ritual is a secret ritual and the Dutta Mohapatra servitors perform it.