Digital Scoop India Official Platform of Digital Scoop India Featuring Latest & Best News #Articles #Bytes #Entertainment #DigitalScoopMagazine
Related Articles
The vibrant city of Puri is echoing with chants and devotion as the Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 continues into its second day. Known as the Chariot Festival or Gundicha Yatra, this sacred event marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
Lakhs Gather for Divine Darshan and Chariot Pulling
Every year, millions come to witness this spectacle. This year is no different, with pilgrims flooding the streets of Puri in hopes of glimpsing the deities and participating in the age-old tradition of pulling the colossal wooden chariots.
According to temple officials, the chariot pulling ceremony began at 9:30 am on June 28, continuing a legacy believed to grant spiritual liberation.
Global Devotion: Pilgrims From Across Continents Participate
Devotees have travelled from all corners of the globe to be part of the event. A woman from West Africa, attending for the first time, shared her heartfelt joy:
“Yesterday, I only saw Lord Jagannath from afar. Today, I pray I get to pull his chariot. Being here is a dream come true.”
Gaurangi Devika Das, a long-term foreign resident of India, highlighted the significance of the occasion:
“This is not just a festival; it’s a divine experience. Lord Jagannath blesses everyone by stepping out of the temple to meet us.”
Pilgrims Share Moments of Peace and Connection
The Yatra isn’t just about grandeur—it’s also a deeply personal spiritual experience. Parna, a devotee from Kolkata, reflected:
“I’ve wanted to come here for years. Yesterday I saw the Lord, and today I could worship him calmly for 15 minutes. That peace is priceless.”
Leaders and Saints Mark Their Presence
Prominent figures from politics and religion attended the celebration. Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo stated:
“Witnessing the Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Jagannath is a blessing. May peace and prosperity spread to every household.”
Swami Shri Sukh Darshan Das from Gujarat’s Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Vadtal described the moment as life-changing:
“Today we saw the Lord give darshan to the world. Whoever sees him during this Yatra will have their wishes fulfilled. It is a sacred moment.”
Festival Timeline and Ritual Highlights
The Rath Yatra, which began on June 27, will continue until July 1. During these days, the deities reside at Gundicha Temple and will later return to their original abode at the Jagannath Temple.
