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Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Digha rub-off effect: Attendance soars at Kolkata Rath, riding high on state's festive momentum
Kolkata: The Iskcon Rath Yatra in Kolkata attracted a higher number of participants this year, marking a 15% increase compared to previous years. This rise is attributed to the chief minister's personal involvement in organising the Rath Yatra at Digha, which has heightened interest in the festival. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Historically, lakhs have participated in the Rath and Ulta Rath, as well as during the nine days when Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra reside at the makeshift Gundicha temple at the Maidan. Last year, attendance surged to approximately 20 lakh, with expectations to reach 23 lakh this year, according to Radharamn Das, Iskcon Kolkata vice-president. "While we have witnessed an incremental rise of 10% in attendance during the Rath Yatra in 2024, we estimate the count to go up by 15% this year given the turnout we have witnessed on the day of the Rath as well as the weekend," Das said. Initial concerns arose about the event's scale due to Iskcon functionaries and some devotees focusing on the inaugural Rath Yatra at Digha this year. However, these fears were dispelled when approximately 2 lakh people attended the Rath Yatra in Kolkata on Friday. The Maidan saw a footfall of 5 lakh on Saturday and Sunday, with an additional 8.5 lakh between Monday and Thursday, taking the total to 15.5 lakh over seven days. The crowd count would have been even higher but for the heavy showers on multiple days of the week, said Das. Das said the spiritual wave of Rath Yatra sweeping across Bengal had boosted not just the crowd count but also the energy levels. "The unprecedented enthusiasm is partly attributed to the massive attention generated by the state's Rath Yatra celebrations in Digha, where the CM personally took charge of arrangements, setting the tone for a state-wide festive mood," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The upward trend follows the post-pandemic revival of public celebrations. In 2020, the Rath Yatra was symbolically celebrated inside Iskcon's Albert Road temple with 18-inch chariots. In 2021, the deities were taken to the 22, Gurusaday Road premises on a truck, with limited participation. Since 2022, with public participation resuming, the numbers have steadily climbed.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
Jagannath temple pandal for 9-day fest at Kolkata's Maidan
1 2 Kolkata: Construction of a Jagannath temple in the heart of the city is underway at a feverish pitch to meet the Friday evening deadline when it must be ready to host Jagannath and his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra. But it is a temporary one. Right in the middle of the Maidan, a mega pandal — inspired by the Jagannath temples at Puri and Digha — is being built. This replica is also inspired by the Durga Puja pandals. It will be the Gundicha temple or 'Masir-bari', where the deities from the Iskcon temple at Albert Road will reside before Ulta Rath, the return journey, on July 5. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata This pandal is in addition to the replica of Puri's Jagannath temple in Kidderpore. The one in Digha has been attracting a record number of devotees since its inauguration by CM Mamata Banerjee at the end of April. "In the 54th year of Rath Yatra, we wanted to do something special and decided to make a mega pandal, designed like the Jagannath temple. The main spire will be 125 ft tall. It will be70 ft wide and 130 ft deep. Thus, the space inside will be 9,100 sq ft, large enough to accommodate devotees who throng the Maidan during the nine-day Rath Yatra festival," said Iskcon vice-president, Radharamn Das. Around 22-23 lakh people are expected to visit the deities at the Maidan during the period. One of the prime attractions at the Maidan celebration will be the global 'bhog.' All preparations strictly follow the Vedic guidelines of offering only 'saatvic' (pure vegetarian) food, devoid of onion, garlic, or any tamasic ingredients. The cooking area during Rath Yatra is not just a kitchen; it is a spiritual melting pot where cultures blend and the universal language of devotion is communicated through food. Russians prepare fresh vegetarian salads, chopping and seasoning with care. The Italians bring flavours from the Mediterranean, serving up lasagna and pasta. From South America to Europe, from Australia to Asia, devotees offer dishes inspired by their traditional cuisines. "It is often said that Jagannath loves to eat, and his devotees love to cook for him. Nowhere is this sentiment more evident than here, where cultures and cuisines beautifully unite in service to the Lord. This international participation reflects the growing global family of devotees connected bylove for Jagannath. As the grand chariots roll through the streets of Kolkata, it is not just a festival of movement, but a celebration of unity," said Das.
