On the sacred occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra, political leaders including Naveen Patnaik, Amit Shah, and Odisha CM Mohan Majhi urged people to celebrate with devotion and reverence for tradition.
Bhubaneswar, June 27 — As the spiritual fervor of Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 engulfs the temple town of Puri, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik joined national leaders in extending his heartfelt greetings to devotees. Taking to social media platform X, Patnaik posted a devotional video message, saying, “On the occasion of the holy Rath Yatra, I extend my best wishes to everyone. Jai Jagannath.”
Rath Yatra: A Sacred Confluence of Devotion, Culture, and Community
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X to mark the auspicious occasion. Describing the Rath Yatra as a “unique confluence of faith and devotion,” Shah wrote, “Hail Jagannath! Heartfelt greetings to all on the sacred festival of Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra. The Rath Yatra teaches us that moving forward while cherishing our devotion, culture, and heritage is the essence of our being.” He prayed to Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Veer Balabhadra, and Mata Subhadra for the welfare and progress of the nation.
Odisha CM Urges Devotees to Join in Faith and Reverence
Current Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a special message to the public, welcoming all devotees and urging them to participate in the annual chariot procession with deep faith. “Join the Rath Yatra with faith and devotion, witness the divine glimpse of Mahaprabhu atop the chariot, and receive His blessings,” he said.
Puri Prepared for a Grand Spiritual Gathering
All eyes are now on Puri, the epicenter of the Rath Yatra, where lakhs of devotees are expected to gather for this grand religious procession. The three elaborately decorated chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra will begin their journey to the Gundicha temple, where the deities will reside for a week before returning to the Jagannath Temple.
The festival is not only a display of deep-rooted spiritual tradition but also a significant event for Odisha’s cultural identity and tourism. Authorities have deployed extensive security arrangements and traffic management plans to ensure the smooth conduct of the Yatra, given the anticipated heavy turnout.
Significance of Rath Yatra
Celebrated annually on the second day of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Ashadha, the Rath Yatra symbolizes the divine journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from their home temple to their aunt’s temple (Gundicha Temple). The ritual of devotees pulling the colossal chariots is seen as a way to receive blessings and demonstrate communal unity.