Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 16 July extended greetings on the occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra, describing the centuries-old festival as a ‘radiant expression’ of India’s timeless spiritual and cultural heritage. The Prime Minister conveyed his wishes for good health, happiness, and societal harmony to devotees across the country and the world.

What PM Modi Said

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: “Greetings to everyone on the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra. This is a radiant expression of India’s timeless spiritual and cultural heritage. The traditions associated with the Rath Yatra have inspired generations across India and the world. They embody humility, collective participation and selfless service.”

He further added: “May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless everyone with good health, happiness and prosperity. May He give us strength for all our endeavours and deepen the spirit of togetherness in our society. Jai Jagannath!”

Grand Procession Begins in Puri

The world-renowned Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced on Thursday in Puri, Odisha, drawing lakhs of devotees from across India to witness the grand annual chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. The festival holds exceptional religious significance as it is the only occasion when the presiding deities of the Jagannath Temple leave the sanctum sanctorum and travel through the streets of Puri, allowing devotees from all walks of life to seek their blessings.

During the procession, the three sibling deities are ceremonially placed on three magnificently decorated wooden chariots, which are pulled by thousands of devotees amid devotional chants and religious fervour. The yatra marks the sacred journey from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, where, according to tradition, the deities visit their maternal aunt.

Significance and Symbolism

The Rath Yatra symbolises divine compassion and Lord Jagannath’s desire to come out among his devotees and bless them irrespective of social or cultural barriers. Notably, the festival is one of the few in the Hindu tradition where the deity is accessible to all, regardless of caste or creed — a principle that has drawn scholars and spiritual leaders to Puri for centuries.

Every year, the festival attracts an enormous gathering of pilgrims, saints, and tourists from across India and abroad, cementing its status as one of the country’s most significant religious and cultural events.

Ahmedabad Rath Yatra: India’s Second Largest

In Gujarat, the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, held on Ashadhi Bij, began from the nearly 400-year-old Shree Jagannathji Mandir in the Jamalpur area of Ahmedabad, passing through several parts of the city before returning to the temple. Considered the second-largest Jagannath Rath Yatra in India after Puri, the Ahmedabad procession draws lakhs of devotees from Gujarat and other states each year.

As the chariots roll through Puri and Ahmedabad this year, the festival once again underscores India’s living tradition of mass spiritual participation — a tradition that shows no signs of diminishing.