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New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Puri administration on toes for smooth Bahuda Yatra
PURI: In the eye of a storm over loss of three lives in a stampede near the Gundicha temple, the Puri administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure an incident-free Bahuda Yatra of the Trinity on Saturday. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Friday held discussions with Daita and other servitors at Gundicha temple to ensure timely conduct of all rituals and to make the return car festival an incident-free event. The minister visited the integrated command and control centre and said the newly-introduced AI-powered digital surveillance system has been working effectively to manage the crowd. Speaking to mediapersons, Harichandan said human error led to the stampede that claimed three lives after chariot-pulling on the second day of Rath Yatra. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, the remaining rituals of the Trinity would be conducted smoothly, he added. Earlier, after the 'Herapanchami' ritual, the three chariots were skillfully maneuvered by police personnel and devotees from the entry gate of Gundicha temple and parked on Saradhabali in front of Nakachanadwar facing the main temple. This exercise is known as the 'Dakshina Moda'.
United News of India
27-06-2025
- General
- United News of India
Amid relentless downpour, over a million devotees throng Puri for grand Rath Yatra
Puri, June 27 (UNI) In an awe-inspiring convergence of devotion and divine grace, over a million pilgrims gathered in Puri today to witness the grand Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—eternal symbols of the divine journey and cosmic rhythm. Braving relentless monsoon showers and oppressive humidity, the faithful remained undeterred. Their hearts uplifted, they came to catch a glimpse of Mahaprabhu as he emerged from the sanctum and ascended his chariot for the revered nine-day sojourn to the Gundicha temple, accompanied by his divine siblings. According to the temple Panjika, a rare planetary alignment this year resulted in the compression of two significant rituals—Netra Utsav and Nabajouban Vesha—into a single, auspicious Thursday, intensifying the spiritual fervour preceding the Yatra. As the gates of Simhadwar opened and Lord Jagannath emerged, adorned with floral headgear and divine grace, the Badadanda (Grand Avenue) resonated with chants of 'Jai Jagannath,' 'Haribol,' and the rhythmic huluhuli (ululation) of women, enveloping the atmosphere in a trance-like devotion. Devotees, soaked in both rain and spiritual ecstasy, strained to glimpse their beloved Lord as He descended the temple steps in the traditional Pahandi procession, flanked by Daita servitors. While cool water from sprinklers eased the physical discomfort, it was unwavering faith that truly sustained the massive gathering. Beginning at Brahma Muhurta, priests performed the morning rituals, including Mangal Arati, Mailam, Tadapa Lagi, Abakasha, Surya Puja, and Rosa Homa. The deities were then dressed in fresh adornments and offered Khichdi Bhog—a simple yet sacred meal. At precisely 10:20 a.m., the ceremonial Dhadi Pahandi (processional entry in sequence) began. Lord Balabhadra was carried to the Taladhwaja, Devi Subhadra to the Darpadalan, and Lord Jagannath to the Nandighosh chariot. Their regal journey was accompanied by the rhythmic beats of ghantas, mridangas, conch shells, and classical Odissi dance performances that elevated the collective spirit. By 12:30 p.m., the Lord of the Universe had ascended His chariot. In keeping with ancient tradition, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Neeschalananda Saraswati of Govardhan Peeth offered prayers atop the sacred chariots, accompanied by his disciples. Soon after, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb arrived in a splendidly adorned palanquin to perform the Chhera Pahanra—a ceremonial sweeping of the chariot platforms with a golden broom—symbolizing humility in kingship and divine servitude. At 4:00 p.m., devotees were blessed with the opportunity to pull Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja. This was followed by Devi Subhadra's Darpadalan and then Lord Jagannath's majestic Nandighosh chariot. More than just a religious festival, the Rath Yatra is a cosmic choreography—an age-old divine drama reaffirming that the Lord descends to walk among His devotees. Prominent leaders including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers Pravati Parida and K.V. Singhdeo, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, and Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were present to witness the celestial procession. Amid heightened security concerns following the recent Pahalgam incident, the holy city was transformed into a fortress of vigilance. Over 10,000 personnel—including RAF, NDRF, NSG, anti-drone units, and AI-monitored surveillance teams—ensured seamless security. The Navy, Coast Guard, and Odisha Marine Police scanned the coastline, while lifeguards were deployed along the seashore to prevent drowning incidents. Despite adverse weather, fire service personnel and NGO volunteers worked tirelessly—sprinkling water to cool the crowds, assisting fainting devotees, and attending to injuries on the beach. Nearly a thousand devotees were treated and later discharged, their devotion unshaken. District Magistrate Sidharth Sankar Swain, SP Vinit Agarwal, SJTA Chief Administrator Aravind Padhee, DGP Y.B. Khurania, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and other top officials coordinated efforts with unwavering commitment to ensure a flawless event. As the chariots prepare to roll forward and lakhs chant, "Jagannath Swami Nayana Patha Gami Bhavatu Me", the divine message is clear—Lord Jagannath comes forth, not only to bless the world but to become a part of it. UNI XC DP BM
New Indian Express
15-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration holds meet with Daitapatis; stresses timely conduct of rituals
PURI: With the 'Anasar' period of the Trinity underway, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Saturday convened a meeting with the Daitapati Nijog to discuss the timely conduct of rituals with special emphasis on Pahandi. SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee urged Daita servitors to segregate into four groups to perform the Pahandi rituals of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra. Each group will have the required number of Daita and other servitors as mentioned in the Record of Rights. As the two important rituals - Netrotshab and Nabajouban Darshan - will be observed on a single day this year, the chief administrator stressed effective coordination among the servitors' groups, timely performance of rituals, safety of the deities and hassle-free darshan. 'No mobile phones are allowed atop the chariots of the Trinity. This apart, stringent action will also be taken against unauthorised persons or servitors without duty found on the chariots,' Padhee reiterated.
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Lakhs of devotees throng Puri to witness Trinity's Snana Purnima ritual
PURI: Lakhs of devotees thronged Puri to witness the grand Snana Purnima ritual of the Trinity in Srimandir on Wednesday. The day began with the ceremonial Pahandi procession after Mangalarpan at 5.45 am as Daita servitors escorted the deities from the Ratna Singhasan to the Snana Bedi (bathing altar), located on the eastern side of the temple near Singhadwar. Once the Trinity was placed on the Snana Bedi, servitors performed the regular morning rituals including Mangalarati, Mailum, Tadap Lagi and Abakash, and dressed the deities in their bathing attire. At around 1.30 pm, the deities were bathed with 108 pitchers of consecrated aromatic water. Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performed the Chherapahanra ritual at 4 pm and offered prayers on the Snana Bedi. This ceremony concluded at around 4.55 pm. Following the bath, three sets of dressers adorned the deities in elephant attire called the Hati Besha or Gajanan Besha. Large decorated elephant masks made of thermocol were provided by Raghab Das and Gopal Jew mutts. The dressing ritual took about an hour. The Besha darshan continued late into the night.
United News of India
11-06-2025
- General
- United News of India
Lakhs of devotees throng Puri to witness grand royal bathing of Trinity at Sri Jagannath Temple
Puri, June 11 (UNI) Lakhs of devotees thronged the grand road of this pilgrim city on Wednesday to witness the magnificent royal bathing ceremony and the 'Hati Vesha' of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and their sister Devi Subhadra of the Sri Jagannath Temple. The royal bathing ceremony, popularly known as Snan Purnima, is considered a major ritual preceding the famous Car Festival or Rath Yatra of the deities. As per tradition, the holy triad was ceremoniously escorted from the Ratnasinhasan in the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple to the Snana Vedi in the early hours of Wednesday by the Daita servitors in a grand 'Pahandi' procession, accompanied by chants of 'Jai Jagannath.' The air resonated with the music of drums, cymbals, bugles, and ghanta as the Daita servitors — a special group known as the protectors of the deities — carried the deities to the bathing altar located in the outer temple complex. The bathing altar is a large raised platform overlooking the grand road and facing east. The priests consecrated the holy water drawn from the sacred golden well inside the temple complex. A total of 108 pitchers of water, blended with aromatic herbs and sandalwood, were used for the bathing ritual. The water was manually drawn by the servitors from the golden well of the temple. Of this, 35 pitchers were used for bathing Lord Jagannath, 33 for Balabhadra, 22 for Subhadra, and 18 for Sudarshan. After the bathing ceremony, the deities were dressed, and Gajapati King Dibyasingh Deb, the foremost servitor of the Lord, arrived in a ceremonial procession from the palace to perform the Chhera Pahanra (sweeping around the deities atop the Snana Vedi). A special set of servitors adorned the deities in the 'Hati Vesha' or elephant attire, symbolising their incarnation as Lord Ganesha. The deities were offered bhog before the public darshan of the deities during the 'Sahanamela', which will continue from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Late in the night, the deities will be taken to a secluded chamber in the temple called the 'Anasar House' (room for the sick) in a similar 'Pahandi Bije' procession. Here, Lord Jagannath, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, will recline for fifteen days, believed to suffer from fever following the holy bath. During this fortnight, the temple's Vaidya (doctor) will treat the deities with herbal medicines, and they will be served fruits as their diet by the Daita servitors. Public darshan of the deities will be prohibited during these fifteen days. However, devotees visit the Alarnath Temple, about 23 km from Puri, where it is believed that Lord Jagannath manifested during this period. As part of the security arrangements, 450 officers and 70 platoons of police forces have been deployed, said Central Range IG S Praveen Kumar. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with senior officials, visited the Puri Srimandir and participated in the Mangala Alati, the 'Pahandi Bije,' and had a darshan of the presiding deities. Majhi expressed his satisfaction with the rituals and the security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the Snana Yatra. The Chief Minister said the Rath Yatra, scheduled to be held on June 27, would be conducted smoothly with the blessings of Lord Jagannath. UNI DP ARN
