Highlights | Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: Mega Festival To Culminate After 9 Days

The annual Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is being celebrated with pomp, devotion, and enthusiasm. The Rath Yatra started on June 20, 2023, and will culminate on June 28, 2023, in the temple town of Puri in Odisha.

Sea of devotees at Puri Rath Yatra (Pic: ANI)

The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is an important annual festival held in Odhisha's Puri. It is an annual chariot festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe and a form of Lord Krishna.  The pious festival is also known as Navadina Yatra, Dasavatara Yatra, and Gundicha Yatra. As per the traditional Odia calendar, it is celebrated on the 2nd day of Shukla Paksha and holds major significance among Hindus, especially among devotees in the state. The Puri Rath Yatra 2023 is being celebrated this year from June 20 and devotees from across the country and even different parts of the world are expected to visit the state and the temple town during this period. Apart from Lord Jagannath, devotees also worship his siblings and Gods Balram and Subhadra during this festival.

21 June 2023

09:28 IST

Ratra Yatra 2023: Tragedy In Jharkhand

Three minors died in lightning strikes at two places in Jharkhand's Hazaribag on Tuesday, an official said. In Salwar area, two persons died and 12 others were injured in a lightning strike while returning from a Rath Yatra procession, he said. Eight of them suffered grievous injuries, he said. The incident took place around 4.45 pm along a stretch of National Highway-100 (Hazaribag-Bagodar Road). Two devotees were killed and 12 injured while they were returning from a Rath Yatra,? Sub-Divisional Officer, Hazaribag Sadar, Vidyabhushan Kumar, told PTI.

00:03 IST

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023 Live Updates: Chariot Pulling Started At 3.04 pm

Chariot pulling started at 3.04 pm with Lord Balabhadra leading the procession riding Taladhwaja amid chants of "Jai Jagannath", "Hari Bol" followed by Devi Subhadra's Darpadalan chariot and Lord Jagannath's Nandighosh. The yatra reached its destination late in the night. Around 82 people were given first-aid as they fainted due to excessive heat and humid weather condition.