Latest news with #Rathyatra


Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ahmedabad: Video of man beating elephant sparks outrage; forest dept starts inquiry
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat forest department started an inquiry on Saturday after a video of a man repeatedly beating a female elephant in Ahmedabad was widely shared on social media platforms, including X. The 43-second footage of the person, reportedly a mahout (handler), striking the elephant around 19 times with a stick has sparked widespread outrage (Video grab) The 43-second footage of the person, reportedly a mahout (handler), striking the elephant around 19 times with a stick has sparked widespread outrage among citizens, including animal welfare advocates. The forest department has begun an inquiry into the alleged animal abuse case, an official said. This incident comes two days after a single male elephant, Babulal—startled by loud DJ music and shrill noises—ran amok near Desai ni Pol in Khadia, causing panic during the 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad on Friday. With 17 elephants, 101 trucks, 30 akhadas, 18 bhajan groups, and three bands, the annual procession—drawing thousands to pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur along a 16-kilometer route—began around 7 am and was proceeding smoothly until 10.15 am, when the elephant bolted, scattering devotees. Two people, including a woman police officer, were injured while trying to flee. Police, mahouts, and forest staff tranquilized the elephant within 15 minutes and removed it, along with two female elephants, Janaki and Rani, who also showed signs of distress during the procession. The remaining 14 elephants continued the 16km journey. An official, requesting anonymity, said that the person seen beating the elephant in the recent video was present at the Rathyatra procession on June 27 alongside the elephants. 'We have initiated an inquiry to verify the authenticity of the video, which began circulating on the evening of June 27. The person beating the female elephant appears to be a mahout, though we are confirming this. During the Yatra, the female elephants gave a distress call, prompting Babulal to respond due to their strong bond. The elephants were disturbed by loud music, whistles, or colorful balloons. These three elephants are relatively new to large public events. In the footage, Babulal appears to be trying to escape, with the female elephants showing similar discomfort,' chief conservator of forests in Ahmedabad K. Ramesh said. Condemning the cruelty captured in the video and calling for systemic change, animal activists have raised concerns about the welfare of captive elephants. Many suspect that the harsh conditions during the Yatra—30°C temperatures, tar-covered roads, heavy decorations, and loud sounds—may have caused stress among the elephants, potentially triggering the handler's mistreatment. The elephant is listed as a Schedule I animal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which grants it the highest level of legal protection. Any harm caused to it is a serious offence, punishable with 3 to 7 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹ 25,000, a forest official said.


The Print
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Print
Reliance offers ‘Anna Seva' in Puri Rath Yatra
Reliance Industries Limited in close collaboration with the district administration of Puri has launched a comprehensive series of efforts to ensure that visitors enjoy a safe, comfortable, and enriching journey. On the first day of the Rath Yatra on Friday, the company distributed hot meals to about one lakh devotees through its 'Anna Seva', and the service will continue till July 8 on 'Naladri Bije', the day on which Lord Jagannath and his siblings will return to the 12th-century shrine. Puri, Jun 28 (PTI) After serving lakhs of people during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Reliance has launched multi-pronged efforts to enrich the experience of devotees in Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri, the business group said in a statement. The annual Rath yatra draws lakhs of devotees who gather to witness the majestic procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. 'Seva is deeply rooted in Reliance's 'We Care' philosophy, and the opportunity to serve devotees in Puri is truly a blessing. We believe that by serving pilgrims and personnel during the Rath Yatra, we are serving the divine,' Anant M Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries Limited, said in a statement. Apart from 'Anna Seva', Reliance has also installed contactless sanitisers at food stalls, supplying garbage bags for cleanliness in collaboration with the municipality, and extending sanitation amenities to police camps. Over 4,000 trained volunteers, wearing identifiable uniforms, are also managing crowds and overseeing water points to keep devotees hydrated in the hot and humid weather. They also distributed over 1.5 lakh eco-friendly hand fans to help pilgrims beat the heat. 'Keeping the rainy season in mind, 3,500 raincoats have also been distributed among police staff. Volunteers, municipal staff, and police personnel will be provided with refreshment kits,' the official said. Another agency, Chaipani got itself engaged in strengthening on-ground civic infrastructure in collaboration with local authorities to ensure a safer and seamless experience for devotees. The administration, with Chaaipani as its on-ground brand activation partner, has developed shaded rest areas, hydration kiosks, public sanitation units, and multilingual helpdesks at high-density points with the support of top corporates, a company statement said. These measures aim to address critical issues such as heat exhaustion, lack of rest zones, and information gaps for first-time pilgrims, the company statement said. 'We see this not as an advertising opportunity, but as a moment where brands can step in as contributors to the public good,' the founder of Chaaipani, Shruti Chaturvedi, said. PTI AAM SBN NN AAM SBN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.


Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
2 injured as elephants run amok during Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad
At least two people were injured after a few elephants that were a part of the ceremonial procession of the 148th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad ran amok in the middle of the road on Friday, sparking panic, before being controlled by mahouts. The procession continued after the elephants were escorted away by the police. The incident occurred at approximately 10.15 am on Friday while the Rath Yatra was passing through the Khadia area of the city. A caparisoned elephant suddenly moved away from the group and ran in the opposite direction, sparking panic in the crowded, narrow street in the walled city area. One or two other elephants also strayed away from the route. Even as the police warned people to move away, the mahouts chased the elephant that ran amok and brought it under control. According to the GVK-EMRI paramedic service deployed at the scene, a woman police personnel received first aid on the spot, and a male devotee was taken to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for treatment. Videos of the incident show one of the elephants running amok along the road, with people lined up on both sides, and police personnel trying to keep devotees from panicking for a few tense moments before the elephant is brought to heel by the mahouts. The Ahmedabad City Police, at 10.28 am, said in a post on X, 'After elephants went out of control in the Khadia area, they have been dismissed from the Rath yatra and the procession is continuing as per schedule.' The 16 km procession of the 148th Rath Yatra began early Friday morning after Union Home Minister Amit Shah did the mangala aarti at 4 am at the Jagannath temple in Jamalpur, and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel did the 'pahind' (sweeping with a golden broom) ritual later. Over 23,000 police officials and personnel from other forces have been deployed for the security of the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, the oldest and largest in the state.


Time of India
25-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Varanasi's Lord Jagannath temple reopens after 15-day ritual, Rathyatra mela set to begin
VARANASI: The millennia-old city of Varanasi plunged into the centuries-old Rathyatra Mela festivities after Lord Jagannath recovered from a fortnight-long illness, and the doors of the Jagannath Temple in the Assi locality opened for devotees on Wednesday. Due to excessive water offerings by devotees on the full moon day of the month of Jyeshtha, Lord Jagannath fell ill. For 15 days, a special herbal drink was offered to the deity. After recovering, on the 15th day, the new moon day of the month of Ashadha, the deity regained health and appeared before the devotees in the morning. The temple's chief priest, Radhe Shyam Pandey, adorned the Lord with white garments and white flowers, offered a special ritual with Panchamrit, and conducted a grand prayer ceremony. You Can Also Check: Varanasi AQI | Weather in Varanasi | Bank Holidays in Varanasi | Public Holidays in Varanasi After the ceremony, the Panchamrit was distributed among the devotees as a sacred offering. On Wednesday, the Lord was offered parwal (pointed gourd) juice. On Thursday, the Lord's palanquin will be taken out, and from June 27 to 29, during the chariot festival, the Lord will be seated on the chariot to give darshan to the devotees. Rathyatra Mela is one such rare festival when gods come out of their sanctum sanctorum and make a round of the city to meet their devotees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Kashi, the permanent abode of Lord Shiva, witnessed the grandeur of Lord Jagannath's Rathyatra along with his siblings in 1802. Since then, the annual Rathyatra festivities have continued in this oldest living city, where the tradition of Rathyatra Mela as a replica of Puri's Rathyatra Mela has been celebrated for over two centuries. The Rathyatra festival begins from Jyeshtha Purnima when Lord Jagannath falls ill due to excessive bathing at Jagannath Temple. The deity is given herbal hot food, particularly kadha made of parwal and Tulsi, for the next 14 days. The doors of the Jagannath Temple remain closed for devotees during this period. After the deity recovers from the fortnight-long illness, the doors of the Jagannath Temple are opened for devotees. The idols of Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra, are placed on a palanquin and taken to Pt Beniram Bagh for a night stay. By the next evening, the chariot of the Rathyatra fair also reaches the Rathyatra road. After the idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings are placed on the chariot, devotees perform special aarti and offer prayers. After the end of the fair, the idols are taken back to the temple. The three-day Rathyatra Mela pulls a huge crowd of devotees. A splendid fair is set up in this locality with shopkeepers selling colourful artefacts, handicrafts, toys, and balloons. Flower men sell flowers, and holy basil (Jagannath's favourite) is sold everywhere. The special attractions are the seasonal cookie shops called 'Nankhatai' installed only at this time. The organiser of the Rathyatra Mela, Deepak Shapuri, who along with his brother Alok Shapuri looks after Shri Jagannath Mandir Trust, said that all the rituals of worshipping the deity in Varanasi's Rathyatra festivities are similar to those of the Jagannath Temple of Puri. The tradition was started by the then chief priest of Puri Jagannath Temple, Tejonidhi Brahmchari, who moved to Varanasi from Puri.

The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Lakhs of people expected to attend Rathyatra at Digha's Jagannath Temple, says ISKCON
Lakhs of people are expected to witness the commencement of the Rathyatra festival on June 27 at the Jagannath Temple in Digha, vice president and spokesperson of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Radharamn Das, said on Tuesday (June 24, 2025). West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on April 30 this year inaugurated a Jagannath Temple at Digha, a coastal town in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district. The upcoming festivities, set to be the first Rathyatra at the temple in Digha, have therefore emerged as one of the most highly anticipated spiritual events in the State. 'We are expecting a footfall of over 2 lakhs at Digha on the first day of Rathyatra. Around 50 devotees from other countries like Russia, China and Ukraine are also expected to visit,' Mr Das said. He added that around 30 lakh people have already visited the Jagannath Temple at Digha since its inauguration on April 30. 'This year, the Chief Minister will be present for the inauguration of the Rathyatra Festival at Digha. She will then visit the festivities conducted by ISKCON in Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground on July 3 and perform aarati,' he further said. He added that the Kolkata Rathyatra Festival would be inaugurated this year by Trinamool Congress MP Subrata Bakshi, in the presence of several celebrities of sociocultural renown. 'Kolkata's Rathyatra, second only to Puri's, draws over 2 million devotees each year. Even in Puri, ISKCON plays a large role in attracting crowds throughout the year. This year, we are anticipating around 23 lakh people across the nine days of the festival in Kolkata,' Mr. Das said. The organisation on Monday (June 23, 2025) also organised a farewell to commemorate the replacement of the tyres of Jagannath's chariot, with tyres from India's frontline Sukhoi-30 aircraft. 'For the last 48 years, the tyres of the chariot were those of the Boeing 747. Today we are bidding goodbye. This year's chariot will feature brand new Sukhoi tyres,' the ISKCON spokesperson said. Mr. Das also addressed controversies surrounding the selection of tyres from a fighter jet for the deity's chariot at a time of global conflict, saying that it took the organisation a long period of time to find new tyres, and that 'in the eyes of the Lord, no animosity can prevail even in the time of war.' He also highlighted that the Kolkata Rathyatra Festival by ISKCON this year would feature a larger-sized pandal at the Brigade Parade Grounds, and would be made as a replica of the renowned Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri, which draws massive crowds each year. Additionally, a website ( will be set up to help devotees track the movement of the chariot through the city in real time. 'This year in Kolkata, we are also looking forward to several cultural programmes featuring classical dance performances, plays, and kirtan by award-winning performers. We will also present bhog and prasad at ten places in the city. The deity will be given over 108 items in the bhog,' Mr. Das said.