The annual Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra kicked off in Puri with the ‘Ratha Katha Anukula Puja’ rituals on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. The Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, mentioned that the chariot construction for this year’s Rath Yatra started with traditional ceremonies.
All the customary rituals associated with chariot construction were smoothly conducted on Monday. Following the sacred puja, the Vishwakarma Maharana servitors initiated the age-old process of chariot construction by tying a sacred cloth to the logs and performing the symbolic wood cutting with a golden axe.
The Chandan Yatra or Sandalwood Yatra of the holy triad commenced in Puri on Akshaya Tritiya. This 21-day-long summer festival at the Jagannath Temple involves the ceremonial procession of representative idols of the deities to Narendra Tank, accompanied by traditional music and dance performances.
The festival, celebrated with great fervor, not only in Puri but also in other religious sites across Odisha, holds immense cultural significance. SJTA Chief Administrator Padhee expressed optimism for the smooth conduct of both the Chandan Yatra and the Ratha Yatra festival this year, seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath and the divine siblings.
