Rath Yatra Highlights: The annual lord Jagannath Yatra in Puri has started today. Idols of Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra are moved out of Jagannath temple and were seated on chariots. The chariots are moved by ‘sevayats’ on the ‘Bada Danda’ road in Puri towards the Gundicha Temple. In a good news for millions of devotees of Lord Jagannath, the Supreme Court on Monday granted permission to hold the historic historic Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Odisha’s Puri. Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri is happening today. There are some conditions of Rath Yatra including no attendance by general public. Earlier on June 18, SC had stayed the Puri Rath Yatra in the wake of Coronavirus Pandemic. on Monday, the SC modified its order and permitted the traditional procession of chariots after Odisha government’s stand that it will be organised in a limited way with no public attendance.
SC also directed the state government to impose curfew during the time of procession in the coastal town Puri where the annual Lord Jagannnath Rath Yatra is held.
Meanwhile in Gujarat, the High Court said that it will not modify it earlier order in which it directed that the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad should be held within the temple premise only. Gujarat HC rejected application moved by the state government regarding the issue.The Gujarat government pleaded before the court that it will also impose curfew on the route of Rath Yatra and will allow only few people to attend Rath Yatra with just three chariots.
Highlights
Finally, Kalia Thakura (Lord Jagannath) has reached Gundicha Temple on his Nandighosa chariot. He joins elder brother Lord Balabhadra along with sister Devi Subhadra to meet mausi ma.
On her royal Darpadalana chariot, Goddess Subhadra joins eldest brother Lord Balbhadra at Mausi Ma temple. Jagannath Rath Yatra is underway in Odishha's Puri after the Supreme Court granted permission to organise the annual event. Earlier, the top court had denied to allow the event it in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic. However, the court revised its order.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik sought blessings of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. He watched live telecast of Ratha Yatra on TV
Two chariots have reached Gundicha temple in Puri as Darpadalana chariot of Goddess Subhadra joined the eldest brother, Lord Balabhadra's Taladhawaja chariots at the Mausi Maa or Gundicha Temple.
Rath Yatra 2020: In a historic first, Lord Jagannath rides chariots in Puri without devotees - see images
'Nandighosh', the chariot of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra's 'Taladhawaja' and Devi Subhadra's 'Darpadalan' rath roll towards Gundicha temple at the end of Bada Danda avenue in Puri.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the Jagannath Temple in Hauz Khas, earlier today on the occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra (ANI)
Union Minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi and BJP's National Vice President Baijayant Panda greeted people on the occasion. "Immensely gratifying to see #RathJatra of Mahaprabhu #Jagannath happening, as it has for untold centuries, today with social distancing. Do read about the egalitarian Lord of the Universe & the many legends surrounding the deities, inc leg. Colours. Jai Jagannath!" Panda tweeted. (PTI)
Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan prayed for health, happiness and prosperity of one and all. "Along with family sought blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath at the Sri Jagannath Mandir in Hauz Khas. May Mahaprabhu bless everyone with health, happiness, vitality and prosperity. Jai Jagannath," Pradhan posted on Twitter.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Home Minister Amit Shah greeted people on the occasion of Rath Yatra. (PTI)
Disallowed to physically participate in the grand festival, lakhs of devotees got a chance to witness the Rath Yatra live on television. The bada Danda avenue between the Lord Jagannath temple and Gundicha temple is devoid of usual sea of people it witnesses during Rath Yatra.
The 45-feet high 'Nandighosh', the chariot of Lord Jagannath, stood with 16 huge wooden wheels, while that of Lord Balabhadra's 'Taladhawaja' is 44-feet high with 14 wheels. Devi Subhadra's 'Darpadalan' is 43-feet high with 12 wheels. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb performed the special 'Chhera Panhara' ritual with a golden broom ahead of the pulling of the chariots. (PTI)
At first Sudarshana, the celestial wheel of Krishna-Vishnu, was taken out and placed in the chariot of Devi Subhadra followed by Lord Balabhadra, Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath. Ready to carry the deities for their annual nine-day sojourn to the Gundicha temple, nearly three km away, the three wooden chariots waited outside draped in layers of red, black, green and yellow.
Descending from the 'Ratna Sinhasana', the bejeweled throne, the three deities were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as 'Baisi Pahacha' through the Lion's Gate in an elaborate royal ritual called 'Pahandi'. In a rhythmic style, the deities moved forward step by step amid blowing of conch shells and ringing of bells. (PTI)
A number of customary rituals like 'Mangla Arati' and 'Mailam' were held before the presiding deities -- Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra -- set out from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
In order to prevent any congregation, a curfew-like shutdown has been imposed across Puri district from 9 pm on Monday till 2 pm on Wednesday, DGP Abhay said. Over 50 platoons of police force (one platoon has 30 personnel) have been deployed and CCTVs installed at various locations as part of the security arrangement for the nine-day festival, officials said, adding, all entry points to Puri were sealed. (PTI)
The historic Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced on Tuesday in this pilgrim town without the usual sea of devotees and amid tight security in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, less than 24 hours after the Supreme Court modified its earlier order to clear the decks for the annual ritual. (PTI)
I convey my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra. Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is the most revered and much awaited festival of Odisha: Vice President MV Naidu
The King of Puri Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb sweeps the chariots with a broom having a gold handle, as part of the ‘Chhera Pahanra’ ritual, during the RathYatra at Puri's Jagannath Temple. (ANI)
All entry points into Puri -- airports, railway stations, bus stands are closed during the period of Rath Yatra festival as per Apex Court's orders.
The Rath Yatra rituals involve three chariots -- Lord Jagannath's Nandighosh, Lord Balabhadra's Taladwaja and Devi Subhadra's Darpadalan. 'Pahandi' (procession where the deities are carried from the temple to the chariots) was carried out in the morning by servitors who tested negative for COVID-19. (PTI)
One of the servitors of Shree Jagannath Temple here tested positive for COVID-19 during mandatory testing of priests and police personnel ahead of the annual Rath Yatra on Tuesday, a senior official said. The servitor will not be part of any ritual related to the Rath Yatra, he said. Samples of 1,143 servitors were tested on Monday night, as per directives of the Supreme Court. "Except one, reports of all the others came out negative. The servitor who tested positive has been shifted to a COVID-19 hospital," the official said, adding that contact tracing has been initiated. (PTI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday greeted people on the occasion of the Rath Yatra festival. She prayed to Lord Jagannath to shower his blessings on everybody to tide over the COVID-19 crisis. "Greetings to all my brothers and sisters on the occasion of the #RathYatra Festival. May the blessings of Lord Jagannath be showered on all, specially during this disturbing time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jai Jagannath," Banerjee
tweeted. This year, the Rath Yatra festival is being held without pomp and splendour in West Bengal to avoid public gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. (PTI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday greeted people on the occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra and wished for everyone's good health and prosperity. The Supreme Court had on Monday allowed holding of the historic Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri with certain conditions. "I extend my warm greetings to all, on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra. May Maha Prabhu Jagannath bless everyone with good heath, joy and prosperity. Jai Jagannath!," Shah tweeted. The home minister on Monday had said the entire country is delighted over the Supreme Court's decision on the conduct of the yatra and stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative for consultations which ensured that the "great traditions of our land are observed". (PTI)
Greetings on the occasion of RathYatra. May Lord Jagannath bestows upon us peace, prosperity & overall happiness. Jai Jagannath: Gujarat CM Rupani
In the morning, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani performed 'Pahind Vidhi', a ritual of cleaning the road with a golden broom, for the chariots of Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balram to embark on their journey. (PTI)
Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are being moved by 'sevayats' on Bada Danda road. At the end of road is Gundicha Temple which is the destination of these three chariots.
A symbolic Rath Yatra was organised in the Lord Jagannath temple premises on Tuesday after the Gujarat High Court rejected the state government's plea to carry out public procession. For the first time in 143 years, this world renowned event was held without the accompaniment of troupes, tableaux and public participation in view of the coronavirus outbreak. (PTI)
As per the Supreme Court's order, COVID19 test was conducted for all 'sevayats' (priests) at Puri's Jagannath Temple. One sevayat has tested positive, he is not allowed to participate in the Rath Yatra: Odisha Law Minister Pratap Jena (ANI)
Kolkata: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) conducts 'Rath Yatra' rituals in the temple premises, amid COVID19 pandemic. (ANI)
Greetings to all my brothers and sisters on the occasion of the Rath Yatra Festival. May the blessings of Lord Jagannath be showered on all, specially during this disturbing time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jai Jagannath: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
Jai Jagannath! May Lord Jagannath bless all on the auspicious occasion of RathYatra. Mahaprabhu bless all with good heath, joy and prosperity. My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha.
Puri's Shree Jagannath Temple is one of the most majestic monuments in Odisha. It is considered that in its present form, it was constructed by a famous Ganga Dynasty King Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva and it dates back to 12th century at the seashore Puri. Lord Jagannath's main temple is an impressive structure in Kalinga architecture. It has a a height of 65 meters placed on an elevated platform.
I thank the Supreme Court for granting permission to conduct Ratha Yatra. I also thank the Central Government for their cooperation. Odisha Govt and Sree Jagannath Temple Administration is fully prepared to hold Rath Yatra: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
Greetings to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra, especially to the devotees of Lord Jagannath in Odisha. May the Lord bless us with courage and determination in our fight against COVID-19 and bring us good health and joy: President of India
May Lord Jagannath bless everyone with health, peace and prosperity, tweets Congress Party
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted people on the occasion of Lord Jagannath Yatra, hoping that it brings good health and prosperity. "My heartiest greetings, on the auspicious occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra," the prime minister tweeted in Hindi. He wished that the occasion brings happiness, prosperity, good luck and health to the lives of the people. "Jai Jagannath," he said. The Supreme Court had on Monday allowed holding of the historic Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra at Puri with certain conditions. (PTI)
After day-long chariot procession, thye idols of lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra will reach Gundicha temple and will stay there for around 9-10 days.
Puri's Jagannath temple has one of the biggest Kitchens in the world. Lord's Mahaprasad is cooked on 752 fires. During rath Yatra Mahaprasad is cooked at Gundicha Temple which also has 752 fires.
Rath Yatra is being celebrated at Boro Jagannath Bari in West Bengal's Chinsurah. According to 'The Dutch Heritage', a document released by the Ambassador of the Netherlands in India, 'Boro Jagannath Bari' is an important landmark in Hooghly district. 'Boro Jagannath Bari's Rath Yatra is considered a tradition of centuries.