Puri Gears Up For Grand Rath Yatra As Final Preparations End
The city of Puri is finalizing preparations for the annual Rath Yatra, where the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra will be moved to the Gundicha Temple. Millions of devotees are expected to participate in the nine-day festival following the completion of traditional rituals.
Why it matters
The Rath Yatra is one of the largest and most significant religious events in India, drawing global attention and requiring massive logistical coordination.
The holy city of Puri in Odisha is gearing up for the world-famous Ratha Yatra, during which the divine siblings, Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister Devi Subhadra, will embark on their nine-day annual sojourn to the Gundicha Temple from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple on July 16 (Thursday).On Wednesday, the chariots of the holy siblings are being ceremonially moved from the traditional construction site, or 'Ratha Khala', to near the Lion's Gate of the Jagannath Temple in the holy coastal town of Puri as part of the final preparations for the annual Rath Yatra.Gripped with ecstasy and religious fervour, lakhs of devotees from across the globe, who have gathered in Puri to witness the grand spectacle, will pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra - Nandighosh, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalan respectively - for around 3 km to the Gundicha Temple on Thursday.The Gundicha Temple is believed…
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