The Tripura government has rolled out a standard operating procedure (SOP) for organising the Rath Yatra festival in the state in order to avoid any unprecedented incident.
A major highlight of this year's mela is the grand Rath (chariot) prepared for Lord Jagannath, which stands at an impressive height of 58 feet. The procession of the Rath is a central attraction, drawing devotees and visitors from across the region.
Bhubaneswar-based miniature artist, L Eswar Rao, curated eco-friendly chariots of the holy trinity Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra using papers and incense sticks ahead of the world-famous Rath Yatra.
With barely a day left for the commencement for the annual Shri Jagannath Yatra, preparations are in full swing in order to ensure a smooth and safe yatra for the devotees.
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said that special arrangements have been made for the devotees coming to the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath.
The Yatra started on June 20 from the Puri Jagannath temple and concluded at Shree Gundicha temple, covering nearly a 3-kilometre distance. The deities had a nine-day sojourn at the Gundicha temple. They return to Shree Mandir after completing the Yatra on the same chariots during the 'Bahud
Usually, the chariot of Lord Jagannath is attached to a rope pulled by devotees, but Jai Makwana of Vadodara organises a unique Robo Rath Yatra; here, the chariot is operated by remote control. This year, he took another step forward by making the chariot motor solar-powered.
"On the occasion of the holy Rath Yatra, along with my colleague Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, visited the Puri Gobardhan Peeth. We took blessings from Jagadguru Shankaracharya," Pradhan, the Union Education minister said.
Pattnaik has created a 6ft high sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and three chariots with the installation of hundreds of coconuts, an official release stated.
As per the tradition every year during Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra the Chief Minister performs the 'Pahind Vidhi', a symbolic ritual of cleaning the way for the chariots using a golden broom and flags off the Rath Yatra. Bhupendra Patel continued the tradition and for the first time flagg
As the final preparations for the world-famous Rath Yatra are underway, adequate arrangements have been made for the devotees visiting Puri for darshan, said police officials.