Around a million worshippers from all over the nation gathered in Puri this past weekend for the Jagannath Rath Yatra. Following a Supreme Court ruling on the probability of Covid infection spreading due to big size congregation, the Rath Yatra was staged in Puri without pilgrims for the last two years.To those attending the celebration, the state government will give away 10 lakh free masks.In a special ritual known as Pahandi Bije, the idols of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are pushed, pulled, and dragged in rhythmic movement to the accompaniment of beating of drums, cymbals, blowing of conch, and chanting of their names by the temple servants. The chants of “Jai Jagannath” reverberated throughout the air as the Trinity—Lord Jagannath, his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
It is the most important Hindu holiday in the Odisha city of Puri. Every year, during the month of June or July, on the second day of the Shukla Paksha, worshippers pull the three wooden chariots pulling Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
Subhechcha Ganguly
