Jagannath Rath Yatra 2022 updates: Million devotees throng Odisha’s Puri amid tight security

Updates

07:55 AM – Pahandi ritual of Devi Subhadra begins
08:01 AM – Lord Jagannath leaves the Puri Shrimandir to go towards his magnificent Nandighosh chariot.
12:49 PM – Chariot pulling begins with Taladhwaja
13:46 PM – Devi Subhadra begins her journey to Gundicha Temple in Darpadalana chariot
14:39 PM -Jay Jagannath chants fill Bada Danda, Kalia Thakura marches on towards Gundicha Temple

Jagannath Rath Yatra is considered to be the most important festival of the year. Jagannath Rath Yatra is celebrated every year with grandness. This festival is celebrated on the second day of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month. Jagannath Rath Yatra is being celebrated today in Puri, Odisha, on Friday, 1st July 2022. The annual Rath Yatra of the holy trinity- Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath is being held with full public participation and will end next week on July 9. The Yatra festival is being held after two years of COVID curb.

“We expect a large gathering of about 10 lakhs on Ratha Yatra as people are allowed to participate in the festival after a gap of two years,” P.K. Jena, Development Commissioner told PTI.

#WATCH | Huge crowds of devotees throng the #JagannathRathYatra as it begins in Puri, Odisha pic.twitter.com/USTn3rMhUm

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2022

On the occasion of Lord Jagannath’s “Rath Yatra” on Friday, President Ram Nath Kovind welcomed the crowd and prayed for everyone’s happiness, peace, and prosperity. To ensure the event is conducted safely, more than 180 platoons of armed police officers, including 1,000 officers of various ranks, are stationed in and around Puri. Additionally, about 50 CCTV cameras have been installed on Grand Road and in other locations across the city.

To stop the spread of Covid, the government will make sure that all safety precautions are taken locally. The government has set up checkpoints to verify vaccination certificates at airports, train stations, bus terminals, and many other entries and exit points in consideration of the crowds. Before the start of the Rath Yatra, Amit Shah (Union Home Minister) performed ‘Mangal Aarti’ (auspicious ritual to pay obeisance to the Lord) of the deities at Shree Jagannathji Mandir in Ahmedabad in the early hours.

Did Mangla Aarti at Shri Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad. Jai Jagannath. #RathYatra pic.twitter.com/vIslwYmhnJ

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 1, 2022

Greetings on the special day of Rath Yatra. We pray to Lord Jagannath for his constant blessings. May we all be blessed with good health and happiness.

Sharing what I had spoken about the Rath Yatra and the importance of a Yatra in our culture during the recent #MannKiBaat. pic.twitter.com/RnREC22ACQ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 1, 2022

Ritual Timing

The procession activities will be completed by 12.30 pm, while Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb, the titular king of Puri, will perform ‘Chera Pahanra’ (sweeping of three chariots) between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm. Chariot pulling will start from 4 pm onwards.