By Our Correspondent ‘
PURI/BHUBANESWAR:The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has fixed the schedule for the rituals of the chariot festival. Pahandi ritual commencement- 8.30 AM.Pahandi ritual conclusion- 11.30 AM. Madan Mohan Bije- 12 noon to 12.30 PM.Chita Lagi- 12.30 PM to 1 PM.Chhera Pahanra- 12.45 PM to 2 PM.Detachment of Chara Mala from chariots, attachment of wooden horses and Sarathi to chariots- 2 PM to 3 PM. Pulling of chariots- 3 PM.
Massive security arrangements are in place for a smooth conduct of Lord Jagannath’s annual Rath Yatra on July 12 in Odisha’s Puri amid strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols. Like last year, the revered festival will be held without the participation of devotees in view of the Covid situation. The government has completely banned presence of people at the Grand Road in front of the 12th century shrine in Puri during the chariots procession. Chalking out a detailed security plan, the state police has deployed 65 platoons of force along with senior officers.
A day before the yatra, decorated chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra were positioned in ‘Bada Danda’ (Grand Road) in front of the 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple. Only sevayats (servitors) testing negative for Covid-19 and who have been fully vaccinated would be allowed to participate in the pulling of the chariots.
To honour the important festive occasion, sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik took to Twitter to share his magnificent artwork of a sand chariot with his followers. The artist is planning to break all records as he’s claimed to have created the biggest 3D sand art chariot of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra at Puri beach in Odisha. At 43.2 ft long and 35 ft wide, it is absolutely huge.
Rath Yatra is a festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri annually in the state of Odisha. Also known as the chariot festival, this year marks the 144th Rath Yatra of the Lord. Ratha Yatra commemorates Lord Jagannatha’s annual visit to Gundicha Mata temple.
It is believed that in order to pay their respects to Queen Gundicha, wife of the legendary King Indradyumna, who built the Puri Jagannatha temple, Lord Jagannatha along with brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra leave their regular abode from the main temple and spend some time in this temple built by Gundicha in their honour.
