New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday greeted people on the occasion of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra and prayed for the prosperity of the country.
During the annual yatra, chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are pulled from the Shri Jagannath temple to Shree Gundicha temple in Puri, Odisha.
Lakhs of devotees gather to be part of the grand festival. Similar yatras are also taken out in other parts of the country.
“On the auspicious occasion of Mahaprabhu’s Rath Yatra, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all devotees of Shri Jagannath across the country and abroad. It is a widely held belief that during the magnificent tradition of this sacred procession, Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, accompanied by Chakraraj Sudarshan, elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, comes out to meet the devotees. This soulful occasion, marking the union of the devotee and the Divine, is truly unique,” the President said.
Praying for the country’s continued progress, she added, “I pray that, by the grace of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, the happiness and prosperity of our country and its people continue to flourish. Jai Jagannath!”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings on the occasion, describing the Rath Yatra as a symbol of India’s enduring spiritual and cultural heritage.
“Greetings to everyone on the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra. This is a radiant expression of India’s timeless spiritual and cultural heritage. The traditions associated with the Rath Yatra have inspired generations across India and the world. They embody humility, collective participation and selfless service,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
He added, “May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless everyone with good health, happiness and prosperity. May He give us strength for all our endeavours and deepen the spirit of togetherness in our society. Jai Jagannath!”
Meanwhile, in Odisha’s Puri, the three sacred chariots are set to be brought from the Rathakhala—the traditional open-air workshop where the chariots are constructed annually—to the front of the Jagannath Temple following customary rituals ahead of the commencement of the annual Rath Yatra.
The chariots—Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra and Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra—will be moved after the Agyan Mala Bije ritual, marking the final stage of preparations for the grand procession.
One of Hinduism’s most revered festivals, the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, attracts lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad every year. Extensive security and logistical arrangements have been put in place to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the festival.
