Latest news with #UltaRath
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Digha looks at Ulta Rath rush, festive mood lingers
1 2 Digha: A day after Rath Yatra, the festive fervour continues in Digha as the seaside town is now gearing up to host Ulta Rath or the return journey of the deities from the 'Masir Bari' or the old Jagannath temple. On July 5 — the Ulta Rath day — hotels are hoping for fresh tourist influx. Though the deities are currently in Masir Bari, a large queue of devotees visited the newly-constructed Jagannath temple on Saturday. They offered prayers to the stone idol permanently installed there. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata It is the wooden idols of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra that have taken the chairot rides. Bipradash Chakraborty, joint secretary of Digha Sankarpur Hoteliers Association, said booking for Ulta Rath had already started. "The hotels and guest houses near the temple are in high demand. We expect that about 70% odd bookings will be completed by Wednesday. Usually, summer and winter vacations are the peak seasons for the hotel industry in Digha. This year, Ratha Yatra has become a new boost for our industry, and we are preparing for an influx of devotees from different states during Ulta Rath." Radharaman Das, a trustee of Digha Jagannath Dham and vice-president of ISKCON Kolkata, said 'Chappanbhog' was being offered to the deities five times daily at the temple. "Additionally, regular rituals are being performed at Masir Bari around 750 metres from the main temple, where the wooden idols have been kept in chariots. We expect footfall of 70,000 to one lakh devotees at the temple daily until Ulta Rath." A local tour operator in Digha stated, "We have been running package tours covering Puri and Digha for a long time. This tour has gained momentum due to the chariot festival, as many people will travel to Digha from Puri for Ulta Rath." Sonia Das, a Garia resident, stated, "The maiden chariot festival of Digha has generated great excitement among people like us. Some of us formed a group in the neighbourhood and travelled to the seaside town. Another group of our neighbours is scheduled to arrive at Digha for Ulta Rath." Meanwhile, police are implementing a three-tier security system in the town keeping in mind the anticipated rush of devotees. Dibakar Das, SDPO of Contai, stated, "Additional security measures are being implemented throughout Digha for the return journey. Focus is also on the beach area." Some devotees have also planned to visit Puri on Ulta Rath.
Time of India
4 days ago
- 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.
