Latest news with #RathYatraof
India Gazette
6 hours ago
- General
- India Gazette
Puri: Devotees continue to gather in large numbers to witness Lord Jagannath's chariot
Puri (Odisha) [India], June 28 (ANI): On the second day of the Jagannath Rath Yatra festival, devotees from across the world gathered in Puri on Saturday to witness the ceremonial pulling of the chariots. A devotee from West Africa, who had travelled to Puri for the Rath Yatra, expressed her joy at getting the opportunity to have 'darshan' of Lord Jagannath on Friday. She also hoped for a chance to pull the Lord's chariot. 'This is my very first opportunity to witness the Rath Yatra in Puri. Yesterday, we only got the opportunity to have darshan of Lord Jagannath. But today, hopefully Jagannath will be kind, we will be able to pull his chariot as today is the second day', the devotee told ANI. Another devotee, Gorangi, who has been living in India for the past 20 years, attributed her chance to take darshan to the 'mercy' of Lord Jagannath. She described the Rath Yatra as a particularly special festival because Lord Jagannath comes out of the temple to bless His devotees. 'I have been living in India for 20 years. Yesterday was the first day of the Rath Yatra festival. Lakhs of people are coming. By the mercy of Lord Jagannath, I got to take his darshan. Today, I hope I will have the grace to pull Jagannath to Gundicha. This is a very special festival because Lord Jagannath comes out of the temple to see all his devotees and give his mercy', she said. The Odisha Fire Services Department DG Sudhanshu Sarangi also spoke about the ongoing event. He mentioned that devotees often try to touch the ropes of the chariots while praying, which makes it difficult to pull them. However, he assured that everything was running smoothly with no security issues. 'Everything is smooth and we hope that with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and His Supreme will, everything will go smoothly size of the crowd is increasing year by year, but today there is a little less (chariots) is very happy. So, you need to drag with full muscle power. People are trying to touch the rope. If you touch it, the chariot will not move. We need to use full strength. Devotees try to touch and pray. We understand their sentiments but we need physical force to take the Lord, we will do it today. The security is smooth. There is no problem,' Sudshanshu Sarangi said. Earlier today, spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya also attended the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri, Odisha. On this occasion, he expressed his devotion to Lord Jagannath, calling Him divine and emphasising that the Lord comes out of the temple to give 'darshan' to the devotees. The grand annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced on Friday in Odisha's Puri, with thousands of devotees pulling the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The event was marked by chanting, drumbeats, and an overwhelming sense of spiritual fervour. (ANI)
India Gazette
6 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)
India Gazette
10 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
I felt really good after his darshan: Jagadguru Rambhadracharya attends Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra
Puri (Odisha) [India], June 28 (ANI): Spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya attended the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025, celebrated in Puri, Odisha. On this occasion, he expressed his devotion to Lord Jagannath, saying, 'Lord Jagannath is divine and comes out of the temple to give 'darshan' to the devotees.' While speaking to reporters on Friday, the Jagadguru shared his personal experience of attending the Rath Yatra, stating, 'Lord Jagannath is divine and comes out of the temple to give 'darshan' to the devotees... I felt really good after his darshan... My blessings to all the devotees who have come here.' 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 the blowing of conch shells and rhythmic beating of cymbals and mridangas, the pulling of the chariots began along the Grand Road (Bada Danda), marking the start of the deities' annual journey. Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat offered prayers to Lord Jagannath during the Ratha Yatra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on the occasion of the Jagannath Rath Yatra on Friday. Taking to his official 'X' handle, PM Modi wished for everyone's 'happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health.' 'On the sacred occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, my heartfelt best wishes to all fellow countrymen. May this holy festival of faith and devotion bring happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health to everyone's life. Jai Jagannath!', PM Modi's 'X' post read. (ANI)
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Odisha: Devotees from Kyrgyzstan attend Lord Jagannath's rath yatra in Puri
A group of international devotees from Kyrgyzstan joined thousands of pilgrims in Odisha's Puri to take part in the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which began yesterday with grand celebrations. Show more Show less
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First Post
13 hours ago
- General
- First Post
Rath Yatra: Over 500 devotees injured due to overcrowding in Odisha's Puri, many fell ill amid intense heat
Much of the chaos unfolded near the Balagandi area, where Lord Balabhadra's chariot, Taladhwaja, was stuck for over an hour. The prolonged stoppage led to heavy crowding, trapping several devotees read more Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra at the Jagannath Temple, on the eve of the annual Rath Yatra festival, in Puri, Odisha, on Thursday. (Image: PTI) Over 500 people attending the annual Rath Yatra festival in Odisha's Puri were injured as crowds surged to pull the chariots as part of an age-old tradition. Many injuries were also caused by heat and humidity, health officials have said. The injured devotees were taken to nearby hospitals in ambulances that were already on standby near Lord Jagannath Temple. No casualties have been reported so far. The Rath Yatra festival was celebrated across the country on Friday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #WATCH | Devotees gather to witness and be a part of the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which began yesterday, in Odisha's Puri. — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025 Odisha Minister Mukesh Mahaling said, 'One or two devotees collapsed due to the weather conditions, but rescue teams responded quickly and took them to the hospital.' The minister added that the government is ensuring that the affected people receive proper treatment. Much of the chaos unfolded near the Balagandi area, where Lord Balabhadra's chariot, Taladhwaja, was stuck for over an hour. The prolonged stoppage led to heavy crowding, trapping several devotees, some of whom were injured while attempting to escape the congestion. Authorities attributed the delay to difficulties in manoeuvring the chariot at a critical turn, which slowed the procession and intensified the congestion. The situation worsened as a surge of devotees entered restricted areas, further hindering the chariot's movement. #WATCH | Puri, Odisha | Ambulances reached the Rath Yatra spot after some people complained of suffocation and were reported unconscious due to humidity. The affected people were taken to the hospital and were provided with the required medical assistance — ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While thousands of people pulled the chariots, lakhs of others also reached the seaside temple town to participate in the festival. An estimated one million devotees gathered in Puri for the annual Rath Yatra, officials said. Meanwhile, Lord Jagannath devotees will get another chance to pull the chariots on Saturday as none of them reached their destination on Friday after Balabhadra's Taladwaja chariot got stuck. With inputs from agencies
