PURI: Puri: Over 1 million devotees, including President Drupadi Murmu, took part in the Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra’s chariot along the main road on Sunday to the sound of Jai Jagannath hymns.
We still remember the tragedy in Hathras and the local police have thoughtfully arranged everything for believers so that they can easily approach to pay tribute to brother gods above Mount Rath.
“We have devised a foolproof crowd management plan to keep off any untoward incident. For the first time, we have installed AI cameras and drones identifying areas where crowd pressure is mounting thereby facilitating us decongesting them instantly,” said DGP Arun Sarangi.
The President Murmu also bent before the deity and asked for his blessings from this chariot. It is believe by sources that it was her primary religious journey as president.
She also dragged the carriage of Goddess Subhadra. The annual stay was also attend by Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik among others.
Sun playing hide-and-seek with its devotees who gather outside jagannath temple from early morning till late afternoon for catching sight of him.
Rupali Day from Kolkata said “When I saw lord’s face for some seconds coming out from sanctum sanctorum being loaded onto a chariot tears dropped down my cheeks. It was divine bliss.”
VVIPs descend on pilgrimage townfor annual festival
From President Droupadi Murmu through Governor Raghubar Das. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi & union minister arrive JudgeThe annual Rath Yatra event attracts a large number of VVIPs in attendance.
Just like in previous years there were several dignitaries watching over rath yatra ceremonies sitting near rath yatra path at a VIP platform; Murmu, Das, Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida together with some ministers took up VIP seats.
union minister Dharmendra Pradhan Puri MP Sambit Patra and others shared the podium with Murmu.
This is the sacred moment when Murmu kneels down before the rath and prays.
King Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb of Puri has had the honor of being called as the first devotee of Lord Jagannath. When he was clearing out Rath’s floor called Chhera pahanra he saluted Lord Jagannath. Then he called her.
King of Puri later gave him his garland to wear. Also, President pulled Devi Subhadra’s chariot.
Opposition leader and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik was also present among the VIPs and walked near the chariot to seek blessings from the god.
Murmu rose from her seat acknowledging Naveen who was alone on that platform as only BJD member on that podium.
“Wishing you all a happy Rath Yatra. This is a perfect opportunity to watch Rath Yatra. Jai Jagannath,” Navin said
Most members of BJD skipped the annual festival. There wasn’t any single BJD member accompanying Naveen. When he reached Puri but just before that its Rajya Sabha MP Subhasish Khuntia could be see near chariot.
“I feel honored to be part of the yatra; I am here due to grace of lord jagannath.” Union Minister Pradhan said.
