The stage is all set for the grand annual Rath Yatra or the chariot festival of Bhagwan Jagannath, Balbhadra and Devi Subhadra, scheduled to begin on Sunday, July 7, in the holy city of Puri in Odisha. Today, finishing touches were given to the three huge chariots. Thousands of devotees from across the country have started coming to Puri to witness this grand festival.
Ahead of the grand event, servitors of the 12th-century shrine performed the ‘Agyan Mala Bije’ ritual for the three giant chariots on Saturday. The important ritual was performed after the completion of ‘Sakala Dhupa’ at the temple.
After bringing the Agyan Mala from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, the senior servitors went in a procession to the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and performed the rituals there.
After Agyan Mala Bije ritual, the three chariots—Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra were pulled by devotees and police personnel and stationed in front of the Singha Dwara of the Shreemandira.
Rath Yatra, observed on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha month of the Hindu calendar, is the most important festival of the Jagannath Temple. During this time, Bhagwan Jagannath, Balbhadra and Devi Subhadra embark on an annual nine-day sojourn to their birthplace, Gundicha Temple, located about three kilometres from the Jagannath Temple. Devotees from all sects and creeds throng the pilgrim town to have a glimpse of the divine siblings during the Rath Yatra.
However, this year the Nava Youvan Darshan, Netrotsav (an important ritual carried out by the servitors) and Rath Yatra are falling on the same day after a gap of 53 years throwing a big challenge before the servitors and the administration to complete all the rituals to ensure the pulling of chariots start by 5 p.m. on July 7.
The state government has also declared the day after Rath Yatra a holiday as the pulling of chariots will continue the next day too.
Timing of various rituals
On July 7, rituals will begin with Mangal Alati at 2 AM and Netra Utsav Bandhapana will be performed at 4 AM. The Daitapati servitors will carry out Chhenapatta Lagi Seva from 7.30 AM to 12 PM.
As per the prepared schedule, Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra will be brought from the sanctum sanctorum to their respective chariots in the ‘pahandi bije’ ritual between 1.10 PM and 2.30 PM, when the devotees will finally be able to catch a glimpse of the Lords after Snana Purnima on June 22.
Chhera Pahanra by Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb is scheduled for 4 PM. The devotees will start pulling the chariots at 5 PM. The chariot pulling will be halted at 6 PM and will resume the following day.
Security Arrangements
Puri has already been put under a thick security blanket for the famous Rath Yatra. The security along the coastal belt, particularly near the Puri Sea, has been tightened to pre-empt any attack on the town by terrorists using the sea route. The Coast Guard and the Indian Navy have been asked to remain on high alert. More than 10 lakh people are expected to visit Puri on July 7, the day of the Rath Yatra.
“All marine police stations have been instructed to intensify extensive sea/land patrolling during the festival. All the measures have been taken for a peaceful Rath Yatra.”, a Senior Police official said.
The police administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the Rath Yatra is conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner. Puri police have conducted a mock drill for the devotees to pull the chariot and for the orderly darshan of Mahaprabhu. Extensive arrangements have also been made for traffic management during the Rath Yatra. CCTV cameras have been installed at various places in the city. Extensive security arrangements have been made by the police inside and outside the Srimandir, Baddanda (Grand Road).
