- Sunday, April 28, 2024
Security was beefed up for the occasion and special trains were also run for the convenience of the devotees.
By: Shubham Ghosh
SEVERAL THOUSANDS devotees have gathered in India’s coastal town of Puri for the annual ‘Ratha Jatra’ (chariot festival) of Lord Jagannath, and the government of the eastern state Odisha has taken extensive measures to ensure a successful event, according to officials. To maintain security, 180 platoons of security forces, with each platoon consisting of 30 personnel, have been deployed in Puri, as informed by the state’s transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur.
Additionally, 125 special trains have been arranged to transport people to Puri during the festival. The event will be closely monitored by numerous CCTV cameras, supplemented by drone cameras, to enhance surveillance.
Ranjan Kumar Das, the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, expressed expectations of approximately one million people congregating in Puri on Tuesday (20). On this day, the chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath will be pulled to the Shree Gundicha temple. Recognising the hot and humid weather conditions in Puri, chief secretary P K Jena assured that the state government has made comprehensive arrangements.
Volunteers will sprinkle water on devotees to provide relief, and a green corridor has been established to address any health emergencies.
Overall, the government’s efforts aim to facilitate a smooth and secure celebration of the annual ‘Ratha Jatra’ with a large number of participants expected to partake in the religious event.
Amidst stringent security measures, the 146th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced in Ahmedabad city, Gujarat, attracting a multitude of devotees along its 18-km procession route. For the first time, Gujarat Police utilised 3D mapping technology to monitor the entire route and implemented anti-drone technology to prohibit the unauthorized use of drones during the event, as confirmed by a senior police official.
Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel performed the ceremonial ‘Pahind Vidhi’ in the morning, symbolically cleaning the path for the chariots using a golden broom. Subsequently, the chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra, and sister Subhadra embarked on the yatra from the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur area. Prior to the commencement of the annual event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted the auspicious ‘mangla aarti’ in the temple during the early morning hours.
In addition to the three chariots, the procession featured approximately 15 adorned elephants, 100 trucks adorned with tableaux, and singing troupes. The Rath Yatra is an annual occurrence on the second day of the Hindu calendar month Ashad, known as Ashadhi Bij.
Following its journey through various areas, including the Old City and communally sensitive zones such as Jamalpur, Kalupur, Shahpur, and Dariyapur, the procession will conclude by 8:30 pm, returning to the temple. To prevent any untoward incidents, over 26,000 personnel from the city police, Home Guards, State Reserve Police, and paramilitary forces were strategically deployed along the 18-km yatra route, as per officials’ statements.
Indian president Droupadi Murmu, who hails from Odisha, extended greetings on the occasion of the festival by tweeting in Hindi and Odia, “On the occasion of the commencement of the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen, especially the devotees of Lord Jagannath. I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath that this festival of devotion and dedication brings happiness, peace and prosperity in everyone’s life. Jai Jagannath.”
She also offered prayers at the Jagannath Temple as the annual Rath Yatra at Hauz Khas in New Delhi.
भगवान जगन्नाथ की रथ यात्रा के शुभारंभ के अवसर पर सभी देशवासियों, विशेष रूप से भगवान जगन्नाथ के श्रद्धालुओं को मैं हार्दिक बधाई और शुभकामनाएं देती हूं।
मैं महाप्रभु जगन्नाथ से प्रार्थना करती हूं कि भक्ति और समर्पण का यह त्योहार, सभी के जीवन में सुख, शांति और समृद्धि लेकर आए।… pic.twitter.com/qfRIyWastZ
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 20, 2023
It was also on Tuesday that Murmu turned 65.
Prime minister Narendra Modi, who left for the US the same on a high-profile visit, said in a tweet, “Rath Yatra greetings to everyone. As we celebrate this sacred occasion, may the divine journey of Lord Jagannath fill our lives with health, happiness and spiritual enrichment.”
Rath Yatra greetings to everyone. As we celebrate this sacred occasion, may the divine journey of Lord Jagannath fill our lives with health, happiness and spiritual enrichment. pic.twitter.com/ATvXmW3Yr0
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 20, 2023
(With agency inputs)
