Wait is over, sibling deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are all prepared to exit the sanctum sanctorum and begin their yearly journey to Gundicha temple, where they were born, on Tuesday in celebration of the 146th Rath Yatra.As the annual Rath Yatra started on Tuesday, a large number of worshippers gathered at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. The yatra has been carefully planned by the state administration. On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of Odisha, and several other dignitaries sent their best wishes to the populace for the joyous occasion.#WATCH | A large number of devotees gather in Odishas Puri for the #JagannathRathYatra_2023 pic.twitter.com/CzRrc3hZHI— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023The celebrations began after the priests and devotees take part in the Pahandi rituals of Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri on Tuesday. Rath Pratishtha rituals are also performed.According to Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, as many as 180 platoons (1 platoon comprising 30 personnel) of security forces were deployed in Puri. Tight security has been deployed as lakhs of devotees flocked at the 18-km long route of the procession to catch the glimpse of the gods.Taking it to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished everyone on the joyous occasion, “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.”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. pic.twitter.com/ATvXmW3Yr0— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 20, 2023President Droupadi Murmu visited Jagannath TemplePresident Droupadi Murmu visited the Jagannath Temple situated in the Hauz Khas area in Delhi on the occasion of her birthday. She made the visit while in Puri, the eminent Rath Yatra Festival had just begun. The 10-day event typically takes place in June or July each year.भगवान जगन्नाथ की रथ यात्रा के शुभारंभ के अवसर पर सभी देशवासियों, विशेष रूप से भगवान जगन्नाथ के श्रद्धालुओं को मैं हार्दिक बधाई और शुभकामनाएं देती हूं। मैं महाप्रभु जगन्नाथ से प्रार्थना करती हूं कि भक्ति और समर्पण का यह त्योहार, सभी के जीवन में सुख, शांति और समृद्धि लेकर आए।… pic.twitter.com/qfRIyWastZ— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 20, 2023Gujarat CM performed Pahind VidhiChief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Beej worshipped Lord Jagannath and his chariot early morning in the premises of the temple. For the first time, the Chief Minister was blessed with the privilege to perform Pahind vidhi a ritual of Lord Jagannaths Rath Yatra. Minister of State for Home Department Shri Harsh Sanghvi and Minister of State for Industries Department Shri Jagdish Vishwakarma also participated in this ceremony.અષાઢી બીજના પાવન પર્વે અમદાવાદમાં ૧૪૬ મી રથયાત્રાના અવસરે પહિંદ વિધિ કરીને ભગવાન શ્રી જગન્નાથજીની રથયાત્રાને પ્રસ્થાન કરાવવાનું પરમ સૌભાગ્ય પ્રાપ્ત થયું. આ દિવ્ય વાતાવરણ ભક્તિ, આસ્થા અને આનંદના સંગમ સમું બની રહ્યું. ભગવાન સમક્ષ ગુજરાતના અને દેશના લોકોના સુખ, શાંતિ અને સર્વાંગીણ… pic.twitter.com/799dzdUIR6— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) June 20, 2023Taking it to Twitter, CM Patel mentioned, “On the occasion of the 146th Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad on the auspicious day of Ashadi Bija, we had the great fortune to start the Rath Yatra of Lord Shri Jagannathji by performing Pahind ceremony. This divine atmosphere became a confluence of devotion, faith and joy. I prayed to God for happiness, peace and overall development of the people of Gujarat and the country.”Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel also cleansed the chariot of God with a gold broom thereby performing the traditional Ashadhi Beej Rath Yatras Pahind ritual.Gujarat also celebrates the renowned Rath Yatra Festival, in addition to Odisha. After the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, the Ahmedabad “Ratha Yatra” Festival is regarded as the second-largest Rath Yatra in the nation.Sand art of Jagannath YatraPrior to the Jagannath Rath Yatra in 2023, Sudarsan Pattnaik, a sand artist, put 250 coconuts in his sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra at Puri Beach.#WATCH | Odisha: 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 pic.twitter.com/sjIlcOxrvw— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2023Significance of Jagannath Rath YatraLord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and his holy siblings are honoured at the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2023, which is of great significance. The celebration represents Lord Jagannaths pilgrimage from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. It stands for commitment, openness, and the harmony of individuals from many origins. The Rath Yatra is a treasured celebration of Odishas rich cultural history and a time to deepen spiritual ties.
