Puri's Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 Begins, President Droupadi Murmu to Attend Event

New Delhi: The Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 commence in Odisha's Puri on Sunday amid a festive fervour. President Droupadi Murmu will also grace the event, which attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad.

The Rath Yatra for Lord Jagannath is typically a one-day event, but owing to specific celestial arrangements it will go on for two days this year, a rarity last seen in 1971.

In view of President Murmu’s visit, the newly-elected Odisha government has made special arrangements to ensure the smooth flow of festivities. Moreover, a two-day public holiday has been declared by Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi on July 7 and 8 for the annual festival.

The chariots are positioned in front of the Lion's Gate of the Jagannath temple, from where they will be taken to the Gundicha temple. They will remain there for a week. Devotees will pull the chariots on Sunday afternoon.

We bow to Mahaprabhu Jagannath: PM Modi 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted on the occasion of the Rath Yatra. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, "Greetings on the start of the sacred Rath Yatra. We bow to Mahaprabhu Jagannath and pray that His blessings constantly remain upon us."

What's Special About Rath Yatra This Year?

This year, the Rath Yatra, and related rituals like ‘Nabajouban Darshan’ and ‘Netra Utsav’ is being conducted in a single day - July 7. These rituals are generally held ahead of the Rath Yatra. Nabajouban Darshan’ means youthful appearance of deities, who were behind the doors for 15 days, called ‘Anasara’ (quarantine), after ‘Snana Purnima’. According to mythology, the deities fall ill due to excess bathing on ‘Snana Purnima’ and therefore remain indoors. Prior to ‘Nabajouban Darshan’, the priests performed the special ritual called ‘Netra Utsav’ in which the eyeballs of the deities are painted afresh. 

Holy Trinity's Journey

Also known as the Chariot Festival, the Rath Yatra is believed to be as ancient as the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The annual festival marks the Holy Trinity's journey to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi's Temple, and concludes with their return after eight days. The festival spans from Akshaya Tritiya (in April) and concludes with the Holy Trinity's return to the Shree Mandir premises.

Heavy Police Force Deployed in Puri

Security around Lord Jagannath temple has been increased ahead of the Rath Yatra. In anticipation of a mammoth crowd of devotees, the Puri administration has made extensive police arrangements for crowd control and regulation. A green corridor is kept ready to take anyone getting ill from the crowd to the hospital. 

Speaking to news agency ANI, SP Puri Pinak Mishra said, "Today we are celebrating the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Sri Jagannath. As we have anticipated, a large number of devotees will flock to Puri to participate in this Rath Yatra. We have made extensive police arrangements. We have divided the police arrangements into several important segments. Arrangements have been made for crowd control and regulation. Special arrangements have been made for matters related to traffic and parking."

He added that in view of the President's visit, special arrangements have been made keeping in mind her security.

He further said, "The President of India will visit Puri. So special arrangements have been made keeping in mind the security of the President of India. Apart from this, many other dignitaries will visit Puri... We are in touch with several agencies and we are working closely with them. We are in coordination with the Coast Guard, Coastal Security, Railway Security..."

The state Police will also harness use Artificial Intelligence (AI) on a pilot basis for effective traffic and crowd management during the yatra this year. It will use AI-powered technology for the first time in drone and CCTV surveillance and traffic control.