Guwahati: The Pahandi rituals for Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra began in Puri. This year, the worshippers are now permitted to take part in the Rath Yatra after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Excellent security measures have been taken by the Odisha police with the anticipated festival audience in mind.
Famous sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created stunning sand sculptures with the message: “Say no to single-use Plastic on this Rath Yatra.”
Additionally, he built 125 sand chariots to commemorate Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra at Puri Beach.
Sudarsan Pattnaik while quoted by ANI said, “This time, we built 125 sand chariots to commemorate Lord Jagannath’s sacred Rath Yatra. It will be a new record for us.”
On Lord Jagannath RathYatra, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb told ANI, “Rath Yatra, which takes place annually, is the Supreme Lord’s most important celebration. Due to the epidemic, devotee participation was prohibited the previous two years, but this year it is permitted. I’m hoping for a big turnout today.”
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu welcomed the crowd at the Rath Yatra.
“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,” he said.
As part of the Rath Yatra celebration, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw along with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last night inspected the preparation at Puri Railway Station as many devotees’ throng to Puri by train to celebrate the festival.
The most well-known Hindu festival in the Odisha city of Puri is the Ratha Yatra, also known as the Chariot Celebration of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra. This festival takes place every year on the second day of the Shukla Paksha in the months of June or July. This year the festival falls on July 1.