Odisha: CM Majhi participates in cleanliness drive ahead of start of annual Rath Yatra

Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) [India], July 6 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mohan Charan Majhi, along with Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, took part in a cleanliness drive in Puri on Saturday, ahead of the start of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra.

The Yatra, an annual event, will begin this year tomorrow.

Taking to ‘X’, CM Majhi wrote, “I feel blessed to be involved in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan organised at Puri Lada Dand before the Holy Rath Yatra. Tomorrow, Lord Srijagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra will leave the jewelled throne of Baddana and give direct darshan to lakhs of devotees in Baddand. Jai Jagannath”.

President Droupadi Murmu is set to grace Odisha on the day of chariot pulling, which is a significant part of the rituals of the Shri Jagannath Yatra, said to symbolise the pulling of the Lord into one’s heart.

The president, who is a native of Odisha, will arrive in state today and will witness the Gundicha Jatra (Car Festival) of Lord Jagannath at Puri tomorrow.

Arun Kumar Sarangi, Odisha Director General of Police, spoke to ANI about the ongoing preparations ahead of the President’s visit.

“We are briefing the officers who are deployed for security at Puri for the Rath Yatra. All the senior officers are present. We have separate security arrangements for the visit of the President…” DGP Sarangi said.

The grand Rath Yatra, commencing on Sunday, promises to draw lakhs of worshippers, eager to participate in one of the most revered and historic religious events in India.

According to Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, 24-hour control rooms and medical kits for devotees in every bus deployed for the Yatra will be arranged.

“Our department has implemented many programs for the Rath Yatra. There will be a control room operating 24 hours a day, and six cranes will be stationed at different locations. In case of vehicle breakdowns, we have coordinated with various companies to provide breakdown services. Additionally, every bus will have a medical kit,” he said while speaking to ANI.

The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

The festival, celebrated with great fanfare from New Zealand to London and South Africa, encompasses the onward journey of the Holy Trinity to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi’s Temple, and culminates with the return journey after eight days.