Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, on Thursday, 16 July, calling himself 'extremely fortunate' to witness the sacred procession of Lord Jagannath. The minister was among lakhs of devotees who gathered in the temple town to witness one of India's largest religious gatherings, even as rainfall swept across the coastal city.

Pradhan's Remarks at the Procession

Speaking to reporters at the venue, Dharmendra Pradhan said: 'We are all fortunate that today we will get to have a darshan of Mahaprabhu Lord Jagannath during the sacred Rath Yatra.' He added that the Pahandi ritual — during which Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balram, and his sister Goddess Subhadra are ceremonially escorted to their chariots — was about to begin. 'Only those who are truly blessed get the opportunity to witness this,' he said.

Commenting on the rain that fell over Puri during the procession, Pradhan described it as 'pushpa varsha' — a divine showering of flowers — and said it was a blessing from Lord Indra for the occasion.

Chief Priest Calls It 'Most Auspicious Day in the World'

Chief Priest of the Jagannath Temple, Jagannath Swain Das Mahapatra, described the Shri Gundicha Yatra — the formal name for Rath Yatra — as 'the most auspicious day in the world.' He emphasised that on this day, Lord Jagannath emerges from the temple to grant darshan to devotees regardless of their religion or caste. 'There is no discrimination on the basis of religion or caste,' he said. He also noted that the chariot procession is the only occasion in the year when devotees can have darshan of the Lord while he rides the chariot.

Devotees Speak: First-Timers and the Faithful

The procession drew devotees from across the country, including many visiting Puri for the first time. One first-time visitor praised the event's organisation, saying: 'The management is really good here; the security measures are also in place.' He added that the rainy weather made for 'a great experience' compared to the summer heat. Another devotee, who had been attempting to attend for two to three years, said everything 'fell into place on its own' this time — a sentiment he attributed to divine will.

President and Vice President Extend Greetings

Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan extended greetings on the occasion of Rath Yatra. Both described the festival as a celebration of India's 'rich civilisational ethos' and an 'emotional moment of union' between devotees and the Lord. The Puri Rath Yatra is among the most significant Hindu festivals in India, drawing millions of pilgrims annually to the Jagannath Temple town on the Odisha coast.

With the Pahandi ritual marking the formal start of the procession, the chariots of the three deities were set to begin their ceremonial journey to the Gundicha Temple, approximately 3 kilometres away — a route lined with devotees seeking a once-a-year glimpse of the Lord outside his sanctum.