Special arrangements were made to drain rainwater from the Grand Road and facilitate the procession, as devotees were pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath
The Jagannath Temple in Puri holds its Rath Yatra every year on a date prescribed by its centuries-old ritual calendar. A branch of ISKCON, however, stages international events of the procession on dates that differ from the original, citing practical reasons. The divergence has sparked a controversy, with many in Puri viewing it as a challenge to the temple’s authority and its religious identity, finds Satyasundar Barik
Beginning from Sitara Grounds, Rath Yatra culminates Gundicha Mandir near Seethamma Vaari Padalu; streets abuzz with chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’
Human relationships are weakening and negative influence of social media increasing, he observes, saying that spirituality offers the path to mental peace and emotional well-being
The annual Rath Yatra, drawing inspiration from Puri Rath Yatra, commemorates the deities’ annual sojourn out of the temple to bless devotees
The main chariot festival will be flagged off at 2 p.m., travelling along Annamayya Road up to MR Palli Circle before returning to the originating point