PremiumThe Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is an important annual festival held in Odhisha's Puri. It is an annual chariot festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath. The Puri Rath Yatra 2023 is celebrated from June 20 and devotees from across the country visit the state and the temple town during this period. Apart from Odisha, the world-famous Rath Yatra Festival is also celebrated in Gujarat. The 'Ratha Yatra' Festival celebrated in Ahmedabad is considered to be the second biggest Rath Yatra in the country after the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra.
The 146th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced on Tuesday morning in Gujarat's Ahmedabad city amid tight security as lakhs of devotees flocked the 18-km route of the procession to catch a glimpse of the deity. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in the morning performed 'Pahind Vidhi', a symbolic ritual of cleaning the way for the chariots using a golden broom, following which the chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra embarked on the yatra from the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur area.
The Gujarat Police have for the first time in the Rath Yatra used 3D mapping technology to monitor the entire route and also deployed anti-drone technology to ensure no unauthorised drones are used during the event, as per a senior police official.
Bhubaneswar-based miniature artist, L Eswar Rao, curated eco-friendly chariots of the holy trinity Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra using papers and decorative stars ahead of the world famous Rath Yatra.
Speaking to ANI, the artist L Eswar Rao said, "To mark this year's Rath Yatra, I decided to craft miniature models of chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra using papers."
"It took me fifteen days to complete them by decorative stars. I used neem wood to make the deities", L Eswar Rao added.
For Rath Yatra 2023, the Odisha Police has issued a traffic advisory for smooth traffic movement. Read here
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, tweeted PM Modi
Rath Yatra is one of the famous Hindu festivals celebrated across the world. The Yatra is associated with Lord Jagannath at Shri Kshetra Puri Dham in the state of Odisha, India. Its history is also depicted in Hindu scriptures like Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana and Kapila Samhita.
The grand Rath Yatra begins after the three deities are established on the decorated chariots. Lord Jagannath's chariot is called Nandighosha, Lord Balabhadra's chariot is called Taladhwaja, and Goddess Subhadra's chariot is called Darpadalan. These chariots are pulled by a large number of devotees.
This year, the auspicious Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra will take place on June 20. The Jagannath Yatra will commence on June 20 at 10:04 pm and will end on June 21 at 7:09 pm. The preparations for the festival begin months before the festival. Read more
The Rath Yatra will be telecast Live on DD-Bharati, DD-Odia, and other Doordarshan channels. The Rath Yatra can be viewed Live on Doordarshan's Youtube channel — https://www.youtube.com/DoordarshanNational. Read more
Odisha government has made elaborate arrangements for ‘rath yatra’. As many as 180 platoons (1 platoon comprises 30 personnel) of security forces were deployed in Puri, said Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur.
A Coast Guard helicopter has also been pressed into service for beach patrolling.
Interceptor boats will be stationed at Paradip for any contingency, till July 2, a senior police officer said.
The world-famous Rath Yatra to begin from Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad today. Idols of lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were installed on the chariot to start the Lord Jagannath Yatra.
Devotees thronged the temple premises ahead of the Rath Yatra. Security was also stepped up to ensure smooth functioning.
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