In an unprecedented event, President Droupadi Murmu made history by participating in the Puri Rath Yatra, marking the first time an incumbent President has joined the iconic festival. The grand event saw around 1.5 million devotees from across the country flock to the temple town of Puri in Odisha to pull the three wooden chariots carrying Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, on the main thoroughfare.
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Puri to take darshan of the Lord Jagannath as the two-day Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri to commence on 07th July 2024.
Chief Minsiter Mohan Charan Majhi, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other dignitaries also present there.
The President visited Puri by a special helicopter of the Indian Airforce to witness the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and His siblings- Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
Later, Murmu will return to Bhubaneswar and attend various programmes in the next two days.
Reverberating Chants and Rituals
As the chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ filled the air, the deities were ceremoniously taken out from the 12th-century temple to their respective chariots on Sunday afternoon. Among the dignitaries present were Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. President Murmu notably pulled the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, adding a historic touch to the festival.
Incident During the Festivities
During the pulling of the chariots, a male devotee tragically died of suffocation near the Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra, as reported by Sushanta Patnaik, Additional Commandant of St John’s Ambulance. The identity of the deceased remains unknown. Additionally, a few devotees suffered minor injuries while pulling the Nandighosha chariot of Lord Jagannath.
Detailed Rituals and Ceremonial Proceedings
The day began with the rituals of the three deities, including Mangala Alati and Mailama Niti, before the deities were carried to their respective chariots by temple servitors. The pulling of the chariots commenced at 5 PM after Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingh Dev ceremonially swept the chariot road with a golden mop.
The Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra was the first to be pulled towards the Srigundicha temple on the Grand Road, followed by the Darpadalan chariot of Goddess Subhadra and the Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath. Due to a celestial arrangement, the Rath Yatra will span two days this year, with the chariots halting at designated locations on Sunday evening and continuing to the Gundicha temple on Monday morning.
Security Measures and Festival Significance
The Bahuda Yatra (return car festival) is scheduled for July 15, with the Sunabesha (golden attire) of the deities on July 17. Following these events, the deities will return to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
The Rath Yatra, one of Odisha’s main festivals, commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from the Jagannath temple to their aunt’s abode in the Gundicha temple. This festival is unique as it is the only time when Lord Jagannath comes out of his holy abode, allowing people of all religions to see him.
Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Sarangi detailed the extensive security measures in place, including the deployment of 180 platoons of police led by three additional DGPs and several IGPs. Additional security units, such as bomb detection and disposal units, RAF, and CRPF companies, have also been deployed. The Grand Road has been divided into six security zones, each managed by a senior officer. Furthermore, 164 CCTV cameras with artificial intelligence have been installed along the road and other parts of the town to ensure safety.
This historic participation by President Murmu not only highlights the cultural significance of the Rath Yatra but also underscores the exemplary governance and security arrangements facilitated by the BJP-led Odisha government, ensuring a smooth and memorable festival for all devotees.