Special Preparations Underway for Rath Yatra Coinciding with Netra Utsav and Nabajaubana

BHUBANESWAR: In anticipation of this year’s Rath Yatra, Puri King Dibyasingha Deb met with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday to discuss the preparations for the Trinity’s annual festival.

For the first time in 53 years, the Rath Yatra coincides with the Netra Utsav and Nabajaubana rituals on July 7. “Given the significance of this occasion, the Gajapati Maharaj reviewed the schedule and ensured the timely execution of all rituals, adhering to the 1971 schedule,” stated Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, who attended the meeting. Previously, the Chhattisha Nijog and Srimandir managing committee had approved the Rath Yatra schedule, setting the chariot pulling to begin at 5 PM on July 7. The chariots are expected to arrive at Gundicha Temple the following day, with the deities entering the ‘Adapa Mandap’ within the temple on July 9.

The Pilgrim City typically draws a crowd of five to eight lakh attendees on Rath Yatra day. This year, the district administration anticipates an even larger gathering due to President Droupadi Murmu and other Union ministers’ participation. The arrangements for the President’s visit were also discussed in the meeting between the Gajapati and the Chief Minister.

In preparation, the state government has appointed 90 officers as executive magistrates in Puri to maintain law and order from Rath Yatra to the Niladri Bije period. On the same day, members of Srimandir’s Puja Panda Nijog and Suara Mahasuara Nijog also met with the Chief Minister. The Suara sevayats raised issues related to the management of Ananda Bazaar at Srimandir and the orderly entry of devotees through the temple’s four gates.

Additionally, discussions included the resumption of ‘Kanika Khechudi Bhoga’ distribution to devotees at three gates of the temple, which was halted by temple administration in February, and increasing the health insurance for Suara sevayats from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. “The Chief Minister attentively listened to our concerns and assured us that he would address our demands. We also invited him to partake in the Adapa Mandap Bhoga at Gundicha Temple,” said Narayan Mahasuara, a senior servitor of the Nijog.