Odisha Declares Two-Day State Holiday for Rath Yatra Celebration
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Honors the Significant Festival with Special Arrangements and Anticipates 10 Lakh Devotees
Mohan Charan Majhi, the chief minister of Odisha, declared a two-day state holiday on Tuesday in honor of the Rath Yatra, which is set to start on July 7.
The three chariots will be drawn on July 7 and 8, this year.
After assessing the state's preparations for the approaching Rath Yatra in Puri, Majhi issued this announcement. It is anticipated that around 10 lakh people will gather for the Rath Yatra. On July 6, President Droupadi Murmu is even expected to arrive in Puri, where he would attend the renowned Rath Yatra the following day.
On June 22, after taking a luxurious bath with 108 pots of specially scented water, the deities fell ill and went into hibernation, or Anavasara. On July 7, they would leave the temple and begin a nine-day journey that is popularly known as the Rath Yatra.
The chariots of Nandighosh, Darpadalan, and Taladhwaja will be drawn for two days because the deities' rites, such as Nabajabuan Darshan, Netra Utsav, and Rath Yatra, fall on the same day. It will be dragged for a short distance on July 7. Next day, the chariot pulling will continue.
"The tribal people worship Lord Jagannath as their deity," stated the chief minister. As a tribal person, I have committed my life to serving the Lord. I kindly ask everyone to make arrangements for a pleasant Rath Yatra.
Majhi declared: "After 53 years, Rath Yatra will be held on two consecutive days. It will be a unique Rath Yatra." We have chosen to designate two days as holidays in honor of the thousands of devotees."
A similar circumstance had occurred in 1971. This year, the same rites that were performed in 1971 will be performed. Senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra stated, "The servitors will work with the temple administration to conduct the Rath Yatra smoothly."
