By Our Correspondent
PURI/BHUBANESWAR: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Chief Administrator Dr Krishan Kumar has expressed his gratitude to Servitors engaged for annual world famous Rath Yatra after the three Chariots reached Shree Gundicha Temple much before the schedule time.
“I was overwhelmed with the kind of support got from Sevayats and it was a team work with Puri Collector Samartha Verma and SP Vishal Singh too also did their part and finally , it was successful Rath Yatra amid COVID-19 restrictions,” a seemingly happy Dr Kumar told reporters soon after Chariots reached Shree Gundicha Temple.
“I thanked all for this kind of cooperation and support in conducting Rath Yatra and people of Puri have also extended their full support and with the wish of Mahaprabhu, everything passed off peacefully,” SJTA Chief Administrator said.
SJTA Chief Dr.Kumar lauded the efforts of servitors, police, district administration and all the those engaged for Rath Yatra for their coordinated efforts for which the Rituals and Chariots Movement were completed smoothly. Dr.Kumar said “Team Efforts have yielded positive results and he is indebted for all the stakeholders for their cooperation and support”.
Meanwhile, with blessings of Mahaprabhu and pro-active role of Dr Kumar backed by timely support from Puri Collector Verma and SP Singh, the Chariots of Lord Jagannath and His siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra reached Saradhabali hours before the scheduled time.
The auspicious day’s rituals began in the morning at around 7.15 AM with Pahandi Bije of the three Deities. Earlier, Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati offered prayers to the Deities on their respective chariots. Then, Gajapati Maharaj of Puri Dibyasingh Deb arrived in his royal palanquin and carried out the Chhera Panhara ritual, the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots with a golden broom, amid chanting of hymns by the priests.
Following these rituals, pulling of the three gigantic chariots by the servitors was started around 12.08 PM. Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra was pulled first followed by Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra and Nandighosa of Lord Jagannath.
Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, Taladhwaja, first reached Gundicha temple followed by Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana. In the end, Lord Jagannath’s chariot Nandighosa reached the destination at around 5.30 PM. The Pahandi ritual at Mausi Maa Temple will be held tomorrow morning.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik thanked everyone including servitors, Puri district administration, temple administration, health department and police personnel for smooth conduct of the world-famous Rath Jatra. Patnaik also thanked the people of Puri for their cooperation. The Chief Minister along with his Secretary VK Pandian watched the live telecast of the Ratha Jatra on TV at the Chief Minister’s Office. When the chariot pulling began, the CM and his PS stood up from their seats and prayed to the deities with folded hands.
