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United News of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Odisha Congress demands judicial probe into Puri Rath Yatra "mismanagement"
Bhubaneswar, June 29 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former Odisha minister Prasad Harichandan today demanded a judicial inquiry by the sitting District Judge of Puri to investigate the alleged "chaos and mismanagement" during this year's Rath Yatra in the temple town of Puri. Harichandan said the judicial inquiry should be announced within ten days after Niladri Bije, along with appropriate action against those responsible. He pointed out that for the first time in 53 years, the chariot pulling was synchronised to occur on a single day, combining Nabajoubana Darshan, Netrotsav, and the Gundicha Yatra on June 27. "Rath Yatra has been celebrated for over 1,200 years. On many occasions in the past, the chariot pulling and the arrival of all three chariots at the Gundicha Temple were completed on a single day," Harichandan said. However, he added, this year, the chariots Taladhwaja and Darpadalana failed to reach their destination, while Nandighosha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, barely moved — only enough to maintain tradition. 'So, the big question is — why was the chariot pulling halted, and for whom?' he asked. Harichandan referred to media reports ahead of the Rath Yatra that claimed industrialist Gautam Adani would visit Puri, pull the chariot, and partake in temple rituals. However, Adani did not arrive in Puri on the day of the Yatra. The Congress leader questioned whether the pulling of the chariots was deliberately postponed to the next day just for him. Reacting to the statement of Sri Jagannath Temple's Chief Administrator, Arabinda Padhi — who had said, 'Perhaps some devotees did not turn up, so Nandighosha didn't move' — Harichandan said the comment was 'shocking and painful.' He alleged that this year, the entire management of Rath Yatra was handed over to the ruling party. Political event managers replaced government officials, scheduled timings were altered arbitrarily, and a two-hour delay occurred between the Pahandi (procession) and Chhera Pahanra (ceremonial sweeping). Referring to last year's incident, Harichandan recalled that Lord Balabhadra's chariot had met with an accident during the Pahandi at the Gundicha Temple while descending the Charamala. No cause was identified, and no action was taken. 'This year, Taladhwaja faced a delay in turning southward, and around 750 people were injured in the crowd crush on Rath Yatra day,' he said. He further alleged that despite objections from the Director General of Police, a private agency named 'IG Drone' was given control of the Closed-Circuit Integrated Command System for the Rath Yatra. Citing a serious security lapse, Harichandan claimed that Priyanka, a female friend of Jyoti Malhotra — who is allegedly linked to ISI — was seen inside the secured cordon zone. 'How did she manage to enter such a high-security area, right in front of the District Collector?' he questioned. The Congress leader also alleged that more than 5,000 entry passes were distributed, leading to widespread allegations of irregularities, discrimination and selective discretion on the part of the Puri District Collector. He pointed out that the Rath Yatra is being conducted in the absence of a formally constituted Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee. Although Gajapati Maharaj has repeatedly raised this concern and even met the Chief Minister over the issue, no concrete action has been taken. 'The Law Minister has now claimed the matter is sub-judice, conveniently shirking responsibility,' he added. Harichandan further alleged there is a complete lack of coordination between the temple administration, the state government, and the servitors (sebayats). UNI DP SSP
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
3 Lakh Visit Jagannath Temple In Digha For Rath Yatra Festival: ISKCON
Digha, West Bengal: An estimated three lakh devotees visited the new Jagannath temple in Digha on the day of Rath Yatra and the preceding day, a senior ISKCON monk said. International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Vice-President Radharaman Das also told PTI that 70,000-1 lakh people are likely to visit the temple every day till the 'Ulto Rath' (return car festival) on July 4. ISKCON is entrusted with the job of performing the rituals and puja of the deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev and Devi Subhadra - in the Digha temple. "Altogether three lakh pilgrims visited the temple premises on the two days of Netrotsav (the day of the deities getting vision)," Das said on Saturday. Asked about the expected turnout of pilgrims in the coming week till 'Ulto Rath', he said, "We are anticipating 70,000-1 lakh devotees on an average every day." People are visiting the temple and their number has been steady every day despite intermittent rains, the monk said. All rituals are being performed before the deities now stationed at another temple, considered their aunt's place, which is around 750 metres from the main shrine, he said. Around 33 lakh people had visited the temple since its inauguration on April 30, Das said. A Digha Shankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) official said, "The seaside resort has also turned into a religious tourism hub in West Bengal. We expect the turnout to be higher by next year." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the temple in Digha in April.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Puri all set for Rath Yatra
PURI: Bedecked and under a thick blanket of security, Puri is all set for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on Friday. The holy Trinity accompanied by deities Sudarshan, Madanmohan and Ramakrishna will embark on their nineday sojourn to the Gundicha temple on three magnificent chariots rolling majestically along the 3-km stretch of the Badadanda (Grand Road). Close to a million devotees are expect to throng the city for the car festival. On Thursday, Pujapanda servitors ceremoniously handed over the Agyanmallyas to Biswakarma artisans, giving the green light for the sacred journey. The day also saw the rare convergence of two key rituals - Netrotsav and Nabajouban Darshan - as devotees had a glimpse of the rejuvenated Trinity following their fortnight- long seclusion in the Anasara Ghar (sick room), after the ceremonial Snana Purnima bath. The deities emerged resplendent in Nabajouban Besha, symbolising renewed youthful vigour. Meanwhile, police personnel and devotees skilfully maneuvered the three chariots from the Rath Khala (construction yard) to the Singhadwar, aligning them eastward, ready for rolling on with the Trinity aboard. The grand pahandi procession - where the deities are escorted to their respective chariots - is scheduled between 8 am and 11.30 am on Friday. Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb will perform the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Koraput supplies 1st batch of organic kalajeera rice to Puri temple
1 2 Koraput: In a proud milestone for tribal heartland, Koraput district administration flagged off the inaugural supply of organic kalajeera rice from Shabar Shreekhetra, Koraput to the Jagannath Temple, Puri, on Thursday. The initiative, launched on the auspicious occasion of Netrotsav, marks the beginning of the Amrut Anna Yojana, which aims to prepare Mahaprasad using organic rice. "It's a proud moment for tribal farmers of the district. As it has been decided by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, the rice will be used regularly in "Kotha Bhogo" and Mahaprasad during this year's Rath Yatra and beyond. Also, a dedicated Amrut Anna sales counter will be opened at the temple to offer organic Mahaprasad to devotees," said collector (Koraput) Keerthi Vasan V. The journey from Koraput to Puri also symbolizes the socio-cultural empowerment of tribal communities, promoting organic agriculture, food safety, and natural resource conservation. The initiative is expected to enhance the economic resilience of small holder farmers while placing Koraput firmly on India's GI map, he added. For the inaugural journey, 32 quintals of organic kalajeera rice, along with one quintal each of 'moong' and 'biri' (black gram), have been dispatched to Puri. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wunstorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo The GI-tagged Koraput kalajeera rice, known for its aroma and fine quality, has been traditionally cultivated by small and marginal tribal farmers. With support from the state govt and Nabard, it received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, opening new markets and boosting demand across India and overseas. In kharif 2024, over 1,800 farmers across eight blocks of Koraput cultivated kalajeera rice on 1,365 acres. For the first time, 1,900 quintals of paddy were directly procured through independent mandis set up by farmer groups. This year, the cultivation target has been scaled up to 2,000 acres, including indigenous varieties.
