Latest news with #ChheraPahanra
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Naveen Patnaik raises concerns over
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 28 (ANI): Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik raised concerns over the 'inordinate delay' in pulling the Nandighosha chariot on Saturday. Some people experienced suffocation and reportedly fell unconscious due to high humidity during the Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri on Friday. Taking to 'X', the Biju Janata Dal chief stated that he doesn't want to 'point fingers or blame' the administration for the delay in pulling the Nandighosha chariot, but it is 'impossible' to 'voice' deep concern and anguish on how the things unfolded during the most sacred event in Odisha. 'We aren't here to point fingers or blame the administration for yesterday's inordinate delay in pulling the Nandighosha chariot. But it's impossible not to voice our deep concern and anguish over how things unfolded during the most sacred event in our State', Naveen Patnaik's 'X' post said. Reflecting to previous year's incident when 'Lord Balabhadra's' idol slipped during the Adapa Bije Pahandi and termed it as a moment which left 'countless' devotees shaken. 'It's hard to forget how, last year, Lord Balabhadra's idol slipped during the Adapa Bije Pahandi--a moment that left countless devotees shaken', Naveen Patnaik wrote in his 'X' post. Furthermore, mentioning about the Nandighosha ratha which was standing at the main gate of the Jagannath Temple till 7:45 pm on Friday, the BJD chief stated that it has left lakhs of devotees who had come to witness the Rath Yatra completely ' disenchanted and disillusioned'. Meanwhile, on Friday, according to officials, ambulances were rushed to the spot after some people complained of breathing difficulties and were reported unconscious due to the humidity. Those affected were quickly shifted to nearby hospitals and provided with necessary medical assistance. Speaking on the incident, Odisha Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, 'Due to high humidity, one or two devotees collapsed. The rescue teams took them to the hospital immediately. There are primary health care centres in the temple area. I am also here to make sure glucose and water are being provided adequately. I will also visit the hospital to make sure that proper healthcare is being provided to those who may need it.' The grand annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in Odisha's Puri on Friday, with thousands of devotees pulling the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, amidst chants, drumbeats, and spiritual fervour. Following the completion of key rituals, including the sacred 'Chhera Pahanra' (sweeping ceremony) performed by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the deities were ceremonially placed on their respective chariots -- Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana. (ANI)
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Puri soaked in religious fervour as Rath Yatra begins
Puri: Religious fervour gripped the pilgrim town of Puri as the grand Rath Yatra commenced on Friday with the holy triad -- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra -- stepping out of their sanctum sanctorum in the divine 'Pahandi' ritual. In a convergence of devotion, over 10 lakh devotees gathered in Puri to witness the Rath Yatra. Thousands of people pulled the ropes attached with chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on the Grand Road from near the 12th-century shrine here towards Shree Gundicha temple, around 2.6 km away. Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and several other dignitaries were among those who pulled the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra. Amid chanting of 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Hari Bol', beating of cymbals and blowing of trumpets and conch shells, the 'Taladhwaja' chariot of Lord Balabhadra first started rolling at 4.08 pm. It was followed by Devi Subhadra's 'Darpadalana' chariot and finally Lord Jagannath's 'Nandighosha'. While the devotees were pulling the chariots, the priests surrounded the deities on the chariots as the procession made its way through the Grand Road of this temple town. While thousands of people pulled chariots, lakhs of others also reached the seaside temple town to participate in the festival. The chariot pulling started after Puri's titular king, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, performed 'Chhera Pahanra' (sweeping of chariots) on all three chariots. Wooden horses of different colours were fitted on three chariots before they were pulled by the devotees. Earlier, the trinity, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, ascended their respective chariots after over two-hour long ceremonial 'Pahandi' ritual. During 'Pahandi', the three wooden idols were carried to the chariots from the 12th-century Jagannath temple. Odissi dancers, folk artistes, music players and many other groups drawn from different parts of the State performed before the idols. The Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, along with selected disciples, visited the three chariots after the deities were placed on them. The 81-year-old seer came near the chariots in a wheelchair. The Shankaracharya's visit is also part of the Rath Yatra rituals. Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Puri MP Sambit Patra, Odisha ministers and several others witnessed the ceremonial Pahandi, one of the major attractions of Rath Yatra in Puri. The festival is being held amid unprecedented security arrangements with deployment of around 10,000 personnel of Odisha Police, Central Armed Police Force, NSG and others. 'We have made all possible arrangements for smooth conduct of Rath Yatra,' DGP Y B Khurania told reporters, adding that over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras were installed to keep a watch on the crowd. ADGP (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar said the arrangements are made in view of some information following the Pahalgam terror attack. 'Several Central government agencies are collaborating with Odisha Police, including NSG snipers, Coast Guard drones and anti-drone systems. Canine teams and Odisha's anti-sabotage units are also engaged in duty here,' he said.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
IIC & royal scion perform Chhera Pahanra in Jajpur
JAJPUR: The Rath Yatra of the holy Trinity was celebrated at various places including Dharamsala and Gadamadhupur in Jajpur district on Friday. In Dharamsala, the Chhera Pahanra ritual was performed by the IIC of the local police station. The ceremonial sweeping of the chariots at Gadamadhupur was conducted by the royal scion. On the day, Dharmasala IIC Ranjan Kumar Majhi was brought to the Jagannath temple at Bhalukhai in a specially-decorated vehicle from the police station. He performed the ritual on the chariot with a golden broom. Similarly, 47-year-old Aparna Dhir Singh Bharadwaj, the scion of Gadamadhupur royal family, performed Chhera Pahanra and other ceremonial rituals of the Trinity at Gadamadhupur. The annual sojourn of the holy Trinity at Chhatia attracted a huge crowd of devotees. The three chariots were pulled from Chhatia to Badaghumuri, covering a distance of about 12 km. The chariots covered at least 8 km on National Highway-16. Rath Yatra was also celebrated at Sukinda, Jajpur Town, Ichhapur, Naguan, Bahadalapur, Bari, Haripur, Kuakhia, Narasinghpur, Jagannathpur, Jenapur, Chausathipada, Dasarathapur, Brahmabarada, Binjharpur, Narasinghpur, Talagarh and Darpani.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Rath Yatra celebrated with fervour in Cuttack
CUTTACK: Cuttack soaked in festive fervour as devotees thronged Jagannath temples across the city to take part in Rath Yatra celebrations. As usual, the Jagannath temples at Chandni Chowk and Dolamundai were the major attractions and witnessed a massive turnout. At Chandni Chowk, the Rath Yatra, first celebrated in 1996 and held in a grander fashion since the temple's permanent structure was completed in 2001, began early in the morning. The temple opened its doors at 5 am, followed by rituals including Mangal Alati, Mailam Lagi, and Surya Puja. The Pahandi Bije procession commenced around 9:30 am, and the ceremonial Chhera Pahanra was performed at noon. By 2 pm, the chariots had begun their journey to the temporary Gundicha temple near Bellevue Square. Similarly, at Dolamundai, the Patitapaban temple opened at 4 am. Following the morning rituals, the Pahandi Bije was completed by 3 pm. The pulling of the chariots started at 4 pm with hundreds of devotees lined up for the divine procession. According to tradition, the chariots made a stop at Seminary Chhak, where members of the Muslim community from the Mahala Committee and Chand Club offered bhoga to the deities. The chariots were then pulled back to Chandan Padia near Dolamundai, where the Gundicha temple is located. The chariots of Devi Subhadra were exclusively pulled by women at both Chandni Chowk and Dolamundai. Another major crowd-puller was the Rath Yatra of the Baladevjew temple at Ranihat, celebrated for the ninth time since its inception in 2015. Here, the three deities were placed on a single chariot. The Chhera Pahanra ritual was performed by collector Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde at around 5 pm, after which the chariot made its way through Ranihat and College Square before returning to the Gundicha temple at Ranihat Durga Mandap. The Commissionerate Police made elaborate security arrangements and traffic regulations to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the festival across the city.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Massive crowd takes part in vibrant celebrations
BHUBANESWAR: The temple city came alive on Friday with vibrant celebrations and spiritual fervour as thousands of devotees thronged the Jagannath temples to participate in the annual Rath Yatra. With the weather remaining pleasant throughout the day, the ISKCON temple at Nayapalli witnessed a massive turnout. The three elaborately decorated chariots were pulled with great enthusiasm from the temple premises to the Gundicha Temple at Unit-8. 'After the ceremonial Pahandi Bije ritual, the traditional Chhera Pahanra was performed. The pulling of chariots began around 3 pm and concluded by 6:15 pm. An estimated two to three lakh devotees joined the celebration,' said ISKCON temple PRO Radhakanta Das. He added that the temple distributed prasad to over 30,000 devotees for free. Meanwhile, Shrivani Kshetra at KISS also hosted the festival with grandeur. 'All rituals were performed smoothly. KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta performed the Chhera Pahanra ritual around 3 pm,' said officials from KISS. More than 50,000 people took part in the celebrations, aided by the favourable weather. In addition to ISKCON and KISS, the Rath Yatra was celebrated at 56 other locations across the city, including Sailashri Vihar, Dumduma, Baramunda, Patia, Old Town, Rasulgarh, and Vani Vihar. Children were also seen pulling miniature chariots of the Holy Trinity in the Mausima temple area. 'We wait for this day all year. Being part of this sacred procession brings immense inner peace and a deep sense of spirituality,' said Prasad Sahu, a resident of Rasulgarh. To ensure the smooth conduct of the festival, the Commissionerate Police deployed 17 platoons of force across key locations. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) set up first aid camps, mobilised sanitation teams, and launched an awareness drive on health and hygiene.
