Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra is the most awaited event of Lake city. Sunday, 25^th June, Lord Jagannath will be going round the city and it is believed that this way he blesses one and all.

The Rath committee members carried out the Rath from Jagdish Temple to the chowk yesterday. After the evening “arti”in Jagdish Temple, the chowk in front of the temple premises was cleaned with Gangajal and Gau-mutra. Thereafter Ganpati puja was performed. According to Rajendra Shrimali of the Rath committee, 112 parts of Rath were carried out from the temple to the chowk by 200 members. The place echoed with chants of Lord Jagannath’s name. The various parts were joined and the Rath was given its form in about 4 hours.Ghanshyam Chawla of the Committee said that a picture of Lord Jagannath will be placed in the rath. Until 2 days before the Yatra, Rath will be kept in the chowk so that devotees can pay their respect to the Lord.

As per Dr Pradeep Kumawat, Alok Group and members of Jagannath Dham have invited people to attend the procession on 25^th June. The MahaArti will be performed in Bapu Bazar. The ritual of inviting people was done by handing over yellow rice which marks the beginning of an auspicious event. On the day of Yatra, flowers will be showered upon the Rath to welcome Lord Jagannath. To invite people for the Rath Yatra, Triveni Sangam Mahayatra was carried out from Bapu bazaar to Santoshi Mata temple, Surajpole, Delhi Gate and then ended at Udiapole.

 A meeting of the Pujari Committee was held presided by Hukum Raj pujari. The Arti timings were decided as: 5a.m. for Mangala Arti,  10a.m. special Shringar, 11 a.m. Bhog. Lord Jagannath, Goddess Mahalakshmi and Girdhar Gopal would be stepping on the Silver Rath around 2:30 p.m. The Rath Yatra will begin from Jagdish chowk at 3 p.m.

From sector 7, the Rath Yatra will leave Jagannath Dham at 11 a.m. and move for around 21 kms.in the city. This is one ritual which has been going on undisturbed since long. From sector 7 it will move to Jadaav nursery, then towards Reti stand, Savina choraha, Machla Magra, Khanjipeer, Rangniwas road, Bhattiyani Chohatta and reach Jagdish Chowk. From here it will join the main Rath Yatra and  go upto Santoshi Mata temple. From here the Rath will part ways and go to Delhi Gate and reach Bapu bazaar for the MahaArti at 7:30 p.m. From here, the Yatra will proceed to JMB, Udiapole and fire crackers will burst up to highlight the devotion of people. Then the Yatra will proceed to Tekri, and then Menaria Guest house road. Shayan Arti will be performed at Hinduraj Choraha and finally reach back to Sector 7 Jagannath Dham. The Rath that leaves Jagannath Dham in Sector 7 has original idols which are worshipped throughout the year i.e. 365 days and follows all the traditions and rituals of Jagannath Dham of Puri, as informed by Member Shiv Singh Solanki.

Today, at 5:30 p.m. in Asind ki Haveli, Jagdish Chowk, the Rath Yatra preparations will be given the final touch. The meeting will have people from different works and various organisations, social and religious groups to finalise the programming of jhankis, music systems, bhajan mandlis and administrative needs. There will be a live-telecast of MahaArti performed in Jagdish Temple and Jagannath Dham sector 7.

Source : patrika.com and bhaskar.com