Indus Valley Times

By Biswa Ranjan Mishra

Puri, July 12: The sparkling spectacle of Lord Jagannath’s annual nine-day Rath Yatra festival began on a colourful note, despite the absence of lakhs of devotees. In the absence of the devotees, the servitors of Srimandir, the abode of Lord Jagannath pulled the chariots of the deities.

“We cannot express the pain in our heart as the Covid-19 situation keeps the devotees away from Lord Jagannath. The Rath Yatra is meant for devotees who gather here to see the deities on the chariots with a belief that such a darshan will pave the way for Moksha or liberation of soul from rebirth. It is also meant for people of other sects and faiths who on normal days do not have access to Srimandir for darshan. They come here to see the deities but also pull the chariots,” said Pandit Suryanarayan Rath Sharma, a priest at Srimandir and Jagannath cult researcher.

The process of the Rath Yatra began with the priests conducting all the morning rituals after which Lord Jagannath and His siblings – elder brother Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra – were led on a procession to the chariots amidst playing of drums cymbals.

Around 500 servitors of the temple along with the security personnel pulled the chariots to the Gundicha Mandir, a temple located at distance of two km from Srimandir.

Gudicha  Mandir is the aunt’s house and birthplace of the deities. During their nine-day sojourn at Gudicha temple, the deities also offer darshan to common people. However, as prohibitory order has been issued on the entry of people from outside to the city, there shall no congregation at the place.

Earlier in the morning, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik extended warm greetings to the people of the country, seeking blessings of the Holy Trinity for healthy and prosperous life to all.

The President, in a tweet in Hindi, extended Rath Yatra wishes to every Indian. He also sought blessings of the Almighty for healthy life during the time of the pandemic.

PM Modi tweeted, “Greetings to everyone on the special occasion of the Rath Yatra. We bow to Lord Jagannath and pray that His blessings bring good health and prosperity in everyone’s lives. Jai Jagannath!”

Governor of Andhra Pradesh Biswa Bhusan Harichandan also greeted people and prayed to Lord of the Universe to shower blessings on everyone.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while wishing the citizens of the state, shared a message through a video clip. In his tweet, Patnaik stated “May the state be Covid-free with the blessings of Lord Jagannath.”

Patnaik had earlier appealed to the people of Odisha to celebrate the mega festival in strict adherence to Covid protocols, there by setting an example of a disciplined and sacred life before the world.

Similarly, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also wished good health to the people of India.

 BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda while praying for everyone’s happiness on the auspicious occasion, appealed to the people to watch the divine journey of the Holy Trinity on TV and online mode due to restriction on public participation.

Governor of Andhra Pradesh Biswa Bhusan Harichandan also greeted people and prayed to Lord Of the Universe to shower blessings on everyone.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while wishing the citizens of the State, shared a message through a video clip. In his tweet, Patnaik stated “May the State be covid-free with the blessings of Lord Jagannath.”

Patnaik had earlier appealed to the people of Odisha to celebrate the mega festival in strict adherence to Covid protocols, there by setting an example of a disciplined and sacred life before the world.

Similarly, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also wished good health to the people of India.

 BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda while praying for everyone’s happiness on the auspicious occasion, appealed to the people to watch the divine journey of the Holy Trinity on TV and online mode due to restriction on public participation.