Rath Yatra celebrated with enthusiasm in Jamshedpur

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 7: The annual Rath Festival, reminiscent of Puri in Odisha, was celebrated with great pomp and show on Sunday. The grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced from five locations in the city. Thousands of devotees, including prominent figures from political and social organizations, participated in the festivities from various areas.

The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath drew a huge crowd on Sunday as devotees thronged to witness Mahaprabhu’s procession. Thousands of devotees participated in the grand procession, pulling the chariots’ ropes to move it forward. Prior to the commencement of the Rath Yatra, elaborate worship and anointment ceremonies were performed on Lord Jagannath.

In Jamshedpur, the Rath Yatra commenced from several locations including Mango Bada Hanuman Temple, Beldih Naga Temple, Khasmahal Jagannath Temple, and Namda Basti Kali Temple. ISKCON’s Rath Yatra, starting from Ram Mandir in Bistupur, was another highlight of the event.

The ISKCON chariots (Rath) is being taken out since 2014. As tree branches and overhead wires came in the way, this time, the height of the chariots had been reduced by about seven feet. The maximum height of each chariot would be 28 feet. The crown, dress and decorative cloth material were brought in from Puri. Lord Jagannath’s Rath was decorated in red and black, Lord Balabhadra’s in red and green and Queen Subhadra’s chariot in red and yellow cloths. Mahaprabhu Jagannath was dressed in yellow, Balabhadra in violet and Subhadra in red. Devotees from Mayapur and Russia sang hymns to the Lord as they marched with the chariot procession.

The Rath Yatra of Naga Mandir commenced its annual celebrations in 1936. The then king of Mayurbhanj, Sahdev and his royal family had sent an idol of Lord Jagannath to the Naga Mandir and the Rath Yatra festivities commenced from that year. The Naga Sadhus used to construct wooden Raths annually. Then, in 1975, in order to prevent cutting down trees, the late head priest of the Mandir, Pandit Ganesh Tiwary had an iron Rath made and since then, this chariot is taken out for the Annual Rath Yatra celebrations. The dress material of the deities and cloth for decoration of the Rath has been brought in from Puri. The Rath was pulled around the temple five times before being taken to the Tulsi Mandir in Beldih which will serve as the Mausi Bari (Aunt’s House). A small fair was set up at the grounds.

The Rath Yatra organized by Sri Jagannath Mandir in Khasmahal passed through Golpahari, Loco Morh, and went up to Engineering Colony where Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were taken to their Mausi Bari at the Durga Puja Maidan in the colony.

The Namda Basti Kali Mandir has been organizing the annual Rath Yatra since 1984. The Yatra commenced from the temple and after going around the entire Basti, went to the New Tinplate Kali Mandir where the Mausi Bari was set up. Teams from Potka and Galudih performed Bhajans during the procession.

The Rath Yatra from Lord Jagannath Mandir in Jugsalai Rath Gali was taken out through Gaushala Chowk, Kali Mandir, Chowk Bazaar and returned to the temple. The Rath is constructed of wood. The wooden planks are removed after the annual festivities and then reconstructed for the next Rath Yatra times.

The Rath Yatra at Jagannath Mandir in Baradwari Gandhi Ashram is being observed since 1918. Formerly, Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra used to be carried on head but since 1975, Rath was introduced. This year’s procession was routed via Straight Mile Road, Workers’ Flat, Ram Lila Maidan, Sakchi roundabout, Basant Talkies Line, Rajiv Gandhi Chowk, Kasidih High School, Kasidih Durga Puja Maidan before returning to Gandhi Ashram where Mausi Bari had been prepared.

The Rath Yatra of Bharatiya Krishna Bhavnamrit Sangh commenced from the Bada hanuman Mandir at Mango. The domes of the three chariots were decorated with yellow, green, black and red cloths. Lord Jagannath was dressed in yellow, Balabhadra in red and Subhadra in rose coloured clothing. The Rath Yatra passed from Mango Chowk to Dimna Chowk where the procession culminated at Mausi Bari in Rajasthan Bhawan. The unique feature of this Yatra was that two Bhajan teams from Mayapur and three from Assam accompanied the procession.

Earlier, the festivities began with morning worship preparations, culminating in Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra from Bistupur Ram Temple in the afternoon. Following ISKCON’s Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath proceeded to Mausi Bari, accompanied by his siblings, after similar processions from other locations.

Traditionally, Lord Jagannath, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, visits Mausi Bari for nine days before returning home. The preparations for this event span several days, and today’s celebrations included Rath Yatras from six different locations across the city.

Dinesh Kumar joins Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 7: On Sunday, the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was celebrated across the country. In Jamshedpur, the traditional Rath Yatra was organized from various temples, drawing large numbers of devotees. The city’s major temples saw a surge of worshippers from early morning.

Former BJP District President Dinesh Kumar participated in the Rath Yatra starting from Shri Ram Temple in Bistupur. He performed the Puja, pulled the chariot ropes, and received the blessings of Lord Jagannath. Dinesh Kumar also joined the Rath Yatra events at Sakchi Utkal Association, Baradwari Gandhi Ashram, and Hanuman Temple in Mango, praying for the well-being of all.

Accompanying him were numerous devotees, including Amarjit Singh Raja, Bhupendra Singh, Harish, and Arun Kumar.

Former Minister Banna Gupta joins Rath Yatra in Mango and Sakchi

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 7: Former Minister Banna Gupta participated in the Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu on Sunday. He began his participation by offering prayers and then sweeping the path of the Rath Yatra chariot. Gupta also participated in the Rath Yatras held at Mango Bada Hanuman Temple and Utkal Association Sakchi.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Gupta remarked that Lord Jagannath symbolized the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and embodied the essence of Krishna. He highlighted the Rath Yatra as a symbolic journey of life with family members, emphasizing the Lord’s presence among humans on earth. Gupta praised the festival as an epitome of unity in diversity.

Expressing his wishes, Gupta extended prayers for happiness, prosperity, good health, and wealth for all, invoking slogans of “Jai Jagannath” during the celebrations.