Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 Highlights: One dead, 5 injured as balcony collapses in Ahmedabad

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday visited Jagannath Mandir in Hauz Khas in the national capital on the occasion of her birthday.

Meanwhile, President Murmu also interacted with them at Kalyan Kendra in President's Estate and Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust in Delhi.

A man died and five others were injured after a balcony of a dilapidated house on the route of the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra procession collapsed in Dariapur locality here on Tuesday afternoon, police said. Some of the injured were standing on the second-storey balcony watching the chariot procession while some were standing underneath, said inspector J S Chaudhary of Dariapur police station.

In pilgrimage town Puri, Odisha, a tidal wave of humans pulled forward giant chariots of Jagannath, Lord of the Earth, and his two siblings from a 12th century stone temple in the heart of this sea-side pilgrimage town to their alternate abode aboput 2.5 kms away.

To witness the celebration in images click here

The 146th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is being held on Tuesday in Ahmedabad amid a vigil by nearly 26,000 security personnel as lakhs of devotees flocked along the 18-km route of a grand procession to catch a glimpse of the deity.

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.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed ‘Pahind Vidhi’, a symbolic ritual of cleaning the way for the chariots using a golden broom, in the morning. Thereafter, Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra embarked on the yatra on their chariots from the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur area.

Vadodara man known for his environment friendly Rath Yatra, this time took a step ahead and made his ‘Robo Rath Yatra’ chariot motor solar-powered.

Every year as the famed Rath Yatra commences in Odisha's Puri, a man in Vadodara for the past nine years has been taking out a chariot procession of his own to commemorate the occasion.

Unlike the ancient Rath Yatras in Puri and the one in Gujarat's Ahmedabad where majestic chariots on which the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are pulled by a large number of devotees, the one organised by Jai Makwana uses a robot to power a motor chariot that carries an idol of Lord Jagannath.

During the car pulling, some people fell at Marichkote Chhak as Lord Balabhdara’s chariot was passing, officials said, adding that five of them were rushed to a hospital for treatment using a special green corridor created for transferring patients from the crowded route to medical centres and hospitals elsewhere.

A tidal wave of humans pulled forward giant chariots of Jagannath, Lord of the Earth, and his two siblings on Tuesday from a 12th century stone temple in the heart of this sea-side pilgrimage town to their alternate abode about 2 kms away, reported PTI. 

Muscles glistening in the setting sun, thousands of bare-chested men pulled the three nearly 45 feet tall wooden chariots of Lords Jagannath and Balabhadra and Lady Subhadra, while lakhs more thronged to touch, pray or just watch the huge procession.

The chariots that carry ‘Lord Jagannath, his siblings- brother Balabhadra (Balarama), and sister Subhadra’ are made afresh every year. Often these chariots are made by traditional carpenters with no formal training. Many of them have not even attended school.

Three gigantic chariots are constructed every year afresh for the annual rath yatra, they are made by traditional carpenters.

"They have no manuals, architectural drawings or modern machines, but a group of craftsmen make gigantic and identical chariots for Lord Jagannath and his two siblings in Puri every year, using only traditional knowledge," says Sudarshan Mekap, the caretaker of the chariots.

As the Rath Yatra began on Tuesday, union minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnav, and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan travelled to the holy town of Puri and met Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati and sought his blessings. 

“Joined millions of devotees in Puri to celebrate #RathYatra. Bow down at the feet of Mahaprabhu. May the omnipotent guide us on the path to ‘Sanmarg’ and bless us all. Jai Jagannath” Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee takes part in RathYatra in Kolkata and performs 'Pahind Vidhi' on the occasion.

Divya Singha Deb, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, on Tuesday ritualistically swept the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings, before they are ceremoniously pulled by devotees.

The titular king of Puri, clad in a spotless white attire and carried in a silver-plated palanquin, climbed up on the chariots one by one, and swept the floors of the chariots using a broom with a golden handle, as priests sprinkled flowers and fragrant water.

Delhi traffic advisory: In view of the 56th Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra Festival starting from Shri Jagannath Temple, Thyagraj Nagar, New Delhi on 20.06.2023, traffic arrangement will be effective. Kindly follow the advisory. The Delhi Traffic Police has fixed the time to carry out the procession between 2 pm to 6 pm today.

Similarly, for the procession leaving Shri Jagannath Temple near Tyagraj Stadium at 3.30 pm, there will be traffic arrangements on the procession route- Shri Jagannath Marg, Chandulal Valmiki Marg, Pandit Bhagwan Sahay Vats Vitti from 2 pm to 6 pm on Tuesday.

The traffic police said, “No parking will be allowed along the procession route. People are advised to use public transport for smooth travel."

This year, the auspicious Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra will end on June 21 at 7:09 pm. The preparations for the festival begin months before the festival.

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.

857 special trains have been arranged for approx 20 lakhs pilgrims : Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

As Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath start their nine-day sojourn to their aunt's place at Gundicha Temple in Puri on Tuesday, the president, prime minister, Odisha chief minister and several other leaders greeted the people on the occasion of the Rath Yatra.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 'Maan Ki Baat' programme on June 18 said that Puri Rath Yatra is a "wonder in itself", the making of the chariots of three sibling deities for the world-famous festival is one such wonder.

Though three gigantic chariots are constructed every year afresh for the annual rath yatra, they are made by traditional carpenters with no formal training. Many of them have not even attended school.

"They have no manuals, architectural drawings or modern machines, but a group of craftsmen make gigantic and identical chariots for Lord Jagannath and his two siblings in Puri every year, using only traditional knowledge," says Sudarshan Mekap, the caretaker of the chariots.

Manipur on Tuesday skipped the annual royal Rath Yatra procession because of the ongoing ethnic violence which has claimed more than 100 lives and left thousands of people internally displaced.

However, the other rituals associated with the festival will be observed in various temples in a subdued manner.

Thousands of devotees have congregated at this seaside pilgrim town for Lord Jagannath's annual 'Ratha Jatra' on Tuesday for which the Odisha government has made elaborate arrangements, officials said.

Priests, devotees take part in 'Pahandi' rituals in Odisha's Puri

The procession in Ahmedabad will return to the temple by 8.30 pm on Tuesday after passing through the Old City, including some communally sensitive areas like Jamalpur, Kalupur, Shahpur and Dariyapur.

Watch video: President Droupadi Murmu offers prayers at Jagannath Mandir in Delhi  in Hauz Khas, Delhi ahead of lord Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023

Idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were installed on the chariot ahead of the start of the ceremonial Rath Yatra that commenced from the 400-year-old Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur area of Ahmedabad today.

Members of the Muslim community welcome #JagannathRathYatra in Ahmedabad

Two Hundred fifty coconuts installed in the sand art of lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra; created by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik at Puri beach ahead of Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023

President Droupadi Murmu greeted people on the occasion of Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra and prayed for happiness, peace and prosperity in everyone's life.

"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," Murmu tweeted in Hindi and Odia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended his greetings for the Rath Yatra, which commences today in Odisha's Puri today. The Prime Minister also attached a video clip along with his tweet showing him participating in a Rath Yatra procession. In the video, he is heard saying that Rath Yatra is celebrated in many states of the country. However, the Rath Yatra celebrated in Puri is unique in itself, he said.

"Rath Yatra has become an identity of India throughout the world. It is celebrated in many states of the country. However, the Rath Yatra in Puri has an aura of its own," he is heard saying in the video.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi narrated his experience when he used to participate in the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra when he was in Gujarat.

"When I was in Gujarat I used to participate in the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad. In these Rath Yatras, it is amazing how people from every community come together for the festivities. This also strengthens the unity of the country," he said.

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.