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Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
First Rath Yatra in Digha draws lakhs to seaside town
Digha: A sea of devotees swamped the road as the wheels of chariots rolled for the maiden Rath Yatra in Digha on Friday. In keeping with the tradition followed for the chariot festival in Puri, chief minister Mamata Banerjee took part in rituals, washed the road where the three chariots were parked, performed aarti with earthen lamps, and swept the path with a gold broom to set off the Rath Yatra from Jagannath Dham. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The rain could not dampen the festive fervour of devotees who started thronging the temple area with umbrellas since 6 am. The priests began the rituals around 9 am and the crowd swelled after 9.30 am, when the chariots decorated with flowers were parked outside the temple. The security in the precincts of the newly constructed Jagannath temple had been tightened since morning, and cops took a slew of measures to ensure smooth pedestrian traffic on barricaded pavements. A high alert was issued throughout Digha. Traffic on 116B National Highway leading from Old Digha to the Jagannath temple was shut. Over 20 police camps were set up, with more than 3,000 personnel deployed to implement the security arrangements monitored by senior officers of Kolkata Police, including DG Rajeev Kumar. Drop gates were also installed on the road leading to the temple. Around 10 am, the three deities boarded the chariots for the 'Pahandi Vijay' ritual. Devotional music played on stereo, and a dance performance by around 40 Iskcon devotees, mostly from abroad, entertained the audience. Around 2 pm, the CM reached the venue along with her cabinet colleagues and state ministers Aroop Biswas, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Sujit Bose, and Indranil Sen. There was a performance by children along with music from Madhab's rock band, after which, flanked by members of Iskcon, the CM set the wheels of the chariots rolling by pulling their ropes individually amid chants of "Jai Jagannath" by thousands of pilgrims, including foreigners. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Radharamn Das, a trustee of Digha Jagannath Dham and vice-president of Iskcon Kolkata, said, "The chariot festival in Digha has been organised following all the rituals of the Puri temple. However, as this is the first time the festival is being held here, the CM was adamant about not compromising on security. Therefore, the general public was not allowed to pull the chariot ropes. Instead, two ropes from the chariot were passed through a barricade, allowing everyone to touch them. " "The CM decided every aspect of this year's festival. Accordingly, Balabhadra's chariot was placed first, followed by Subhadra's. Jagannath's chariot brought up the rear," he said. All devotees and visitors at the temple received prasad on Friday. The district administration are now preparing for Ulto Rath on July 5. "Although the chief minister may not be present here during the return journey of the chariots, there will be no compromise on security," an official said.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mamata Banerjee inaugurates first Rath Yatra from new Jagannath temple
Thousands gathered from different parts of the state to attend the Rath Yatra festival in West Bengal's coastal town of Digha. The chief minister pulled the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, along with her cabinet colleagues at 2:17 pm amid the chanting of 'Jai Jagannath' by thousands of pilgrims, including foreigners. Banerjee announced that the devotees could touch the ropes of all three chariots from inside the barricades. At around 2 pm, the CM mopped the road with a golden broomstick in front of the three chariots and offered Aarti with earthen lamps. The rituals started in the morning with 'Pahandi Vijay' at the newly-constructed Jagannath Dham Temple in Digha. The rituals prior to the idols being placed on the chariots started from 9 am. Pahandi Vijay is an important ceremony of the Rath Yatra. The idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and the Sudarshan Chakra were taken in a procession from the temple to the chariot amid the chanting of mantras. This ritual is not only religious, but a medley of devotion, emotion and festivity. "Rath Yatra is an occasion for great happiness. There is no division between Bhagwan and Bhaktas (devotees). Lakhs of devotees have come. There has been economic benefits for all the locals -- from the hotel businesses to shop owners," ISKCON Vice-President Radharaman Das said. The Jagannath Temple in Digha was inaugurated on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya on April 30.
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: Glimpses From All Over India Of This Divine Celebration Beyond Puri- In PICS
photoDetails english 2923238 The sacred Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 is more than just a religious celebration—it's a spiritual journey of devotion, faith, and divine connection. Celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Puri, Odisha, and across India, the yatra marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to their aunt's temple, the Gundicha Temple. Updated:Jun 27, 2025, 06:16 PM IST Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2025 1 / 9 The auspicious and much-revered Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra has commenced this year from June 27. The 15-day long festivity is celebrated with much gusto and enthusiasm among the devotees who visit the temple town of Puri in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Why Devotees Try To Touch The Chariot Rope 2 / 9 If you ever have noticed watching the videos or pictures from the famous Rath Yatra in Odisha, devotees try to touch the chariot rope of carrying the deities. But why? Well, let's try to find out here: The holiness of the chariot rope is one of them. It is believed that the Lord himself comes to the human level to show and tell them that he is like any of his devotees. Simple love and faith can make any devotee witness the supreme power of the Lord's divinity. Ahmedabad 3 / 9 Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with his son and ICC Chairman Jay Shah, offers prayers during Mangla Aarti of Shri Jagannath Temple on the occasion of Rath Yatra, in Ahmedabad. Digha 4 / 9 Priests take part in the 'Pahandi Vijay' ritual - taking of the deity from the temple to the chariot amidst musical ceremony, as the first-ever Rath Yatra commences at Digha Jagannath Temple. Hooghly 5 / 9 Devotees take part in a procession on the occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra, at Guptipara in Hooghly Puri 6 / 9 Sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo creates a sand art on the on the eve of Rath Yatra, in Puri. Digha 7 / 9 Priests offer 'Aarti' to Lord Jagannath as the first-ever Rath Yatra commences at Digha Jagannath Temple. Puri 8 / 9 Large number of devotees take part in the 'Pahandi Vijay' ritual - taking of the deity from the temple to the chariot amidst musical ceremony, of Lord Jagannath, in Puri. Puri 9 / 9 Devotees in large numbers take part in the Pahandi Vijay ritual of Lord Jagannath, taking the deity from the temple to the chariot, in Puri. (With ANI Inputs)
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Rath Yatra starts with Pahandi Vijay ceremony in Digha
Rath Yatra festival in West Bengal's coastal town of Digha begins amid multiple ceremonies with thousands thronging to Digha from various parts of the state. In the newly constructed Jagannath Dham Temple in Digha, rituals start with Pahandi Vijay on a rainy morning in the beach town. Preparations and rituals for the idols before boarding the chariots have started from 9 am. Although the main ceremony of pulling the chariot is in the afternoon, the special rituals of putting the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra from the temple to the chariot -which is known as Pahandi Vijay started at dawn. Pahandi Vijay is an important ceremony of the Rath Yatra. In this procession, Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and the Sudarshan Chakra are taken from the temple to the chariot amidst musical ceremony and chanting of mantras. This ritual is not only religious, but a medley of devotion, emotion and festivity. Thousands of devotees eagerly wait to see the idols and receive their blessings at this special moment. 'Inauguration will start at 2PM. The Chief Minister will come for the ceremony. There are certain rituals which will take place. With golden broomsticks, the roads will be mopped. Then Rath Yatra will commence at 2.30PM. It is an occasion for great happiness. There is no division between Bhagwan and Bhaktas (devotees). Lakhs of devotees have come from inauguration. There has been economic benefits for all the locals-from hotel businesses to shop owners,' ISKCON Vice-President Radharaman Das said. Live Events It has been raining heavily in Digha but preparations are underway for the chariot procession of the idols. Radharaman Das, also in-charge of organizing the event, said that various religious rituals and festivals will continue till 5 pm, till Jagannath reaches Mashirbari, where the Jagannatha and his siblings reside for seven days Ultarath. Das said, "Rain is the blessing of Jagannath. Rath Yatra means it will rain. In this rain, the common people will get wet and participate in the joy of the festival." On Thursday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on the occasion of the Rath Yatra, "The priests will start the puja from 9 am. The temple will be open for general visitors from 9.30 am. The main idol will remain in the temple and the chariot will be decorated at night. Aarti will be held between 2 pm and 2.30 pm, and the chariot pulling will start at 4.30 pm." She has said, 'To avoid any chaos, the road will be kept clear. Visitors will enjoy the Rath Yatra, standing behind barricades. The ropes of the chariot will be with the barricades, which the visitors will be able to touch. The chariot will stop at some places on the way so that everyone can have darshan.' Overall, the Rath Yatra festival has begun in Digha with a mix of religious emotions, enthusiasm and administrative rigors, and its first step—Pahandi Vijay—has brought a unique feeling to the hearts of the devotees. The newly constructed Jagannath Temple in Digha on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya on April 30. Modelled on Puri Jagannath temple, the Jagannath Dham, has been built at a cost of Rs 250 crore. The temple complex has a 45-foot-high main entry gate. The magnificent complex boasts 108 auspicious steps leading to the sanctum housing the deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. The magnificent structure, constructed using more than 300,000 cubic feet of Bansi Paharpur pink sandstone, from Rajasthan's Banshipaharpur, was completed by 3,000 workers including sculptors, masons, architects, and artisans. The sprawling campus is adorned with extensive theme lawns and over 500 newly planted trees. ISKCON, which is running the temple in Digha's Jagannath Dham, said that Digha Ratha Yatra features three main chariots. Nandighosha (Chariot of Lord Jagannath): 16 wheels, decorated in red and yellow. Taladhwaja (Chariot of Balaram): 14 wheels, adorned in red and blue. Darpadalana (Chariot of Subhadra): 12 wheels, draped in red and black. The charioteer of Lord Jagannath's rath is Daruka, and the pulling rope is known as Shankhachuda. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
