As the world celebrated Ratha Yatra, last month, a professor of Bengali literature at St Paul's cathedral Mission College in Kolkata, released four books, two of them written by him on Lord Jagannath. Dr Sk Makbul Islam, also is in charge of the Sri Jagannath Research Centre at the college.
The pulling of chariots of three divine trinities- Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra- by ardent devotees filled the entire grand road (the venue of chariots’ majestic arch) with spirituality amid chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ and the beating of cymbals.
Not many know that Odisha has another Rath Yatra considered by some scholars to be older than even Lord Jagannath’s in its present form. The Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj in Bhubaneswar is over one thousand years old.
The divine journey of Lord Jagannath which commenced 628 years back in Mahesh Serampore, took place once again today.
The famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath usually picks up momentum from the day of snan yatra (holy bath of Lord Jagannath).
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wished the people of the State and said Lord Jagannath offered the sweet to the goddess to appease her on this day. Rasagolla has its special place in the Jagannath culture and tradition, he said.
The proposed airport will help bring Jagannath devotees from across the globe to Puri and will help promote Jagannath culture across the world.
Around 200 people including servitors, carpenters, blacksmiths and painters are on the job for the chariot construction.
This year’s Rathyatra in Puri also marks the victory of faith over the ceremonial pomp and grandeur.
The Supreme Court had on June 18 disallowed the 'Rath Yatra' this year in view of the Coronavirus pandemic saying 'Lord Jagannath will not forgive us if we allowed the rath yatra'.
