Kolkata: The newly-built Jagannath Temple in Bengal is witnessing its first Rath Yatra today. The idols of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings have been placed inside their chariots in front of the new temple. The Rath Yatra will begin at 2:30 pm on Friday.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Vice President Radharanan Das told PTI that the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra have been placed in their chariots and have been stationed near the main temple gate.
The temple is located at Digha, a coastal town in the state which is also known as a tourism hotspot because of its beaches. According to reports, thousands of people have arrived to witness the historic Rath Yatra which has a profound cultural significance. To date, people from Bengal used to go to Odisha’s Puri to get a glimpse of Lord Jagannath. But now, with the construction of Digha’s Jagannath Temple, people in the state are going there both to get God’s blessings and also to spend some relaxing time on the beach.
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The timings of the Digha Rath Yatra
In the Rath Yatra, the three chariots will begin their journey from the temple at 2:30 pm, and the entire journey will be over by 4 pm. The route of the Rath Yatra is 1 km long and it will be swept by a golden broom, a ritual that will start at 1:45 pm.
CM Banerjee to take part in rituals
According to Das, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will perform the rituals along with the monks of the temple and others. She will ceremonially sweep the road with a golden broom and pull the chariot’s rope. Those attending the grand Rath Yatra in Digha will have to stand behind barricades along the 1 km procession route. They wouldn’t be allowed to pull the ropes of the chariots.
On this monumental occasion, Digha is fully decked up. Digha, thanks to the cutouts looking like the temple, giant images of deities and illuminations that artists from Chandannagar have designed, transformed into a place worthy of festivities. The town has been thronged by thousands of people as devotional songs are being played through the public address system. Reportedly, devotees from 50 countries have arrived in Digha, including many from Russia, Ukraine, the US, Germany and China.
Preparations under CM Banerjee’s leadership
CM Banerjee arrived in Digha a day earlier to oversee preparations for Rath Yatra. With the state Assembly election scheduled to be held in 2026, this Rath Yatra holds immense importance. The temple has been built for Rs 250 crore to rival Puri’s Jagannath Temple. According to the authorities, 2 to 2.5 lakh devotees are expected to participate in the event.
Banerjee issued strict orders to the police, the fire department, and public officials to closely monitor the situation and arrived in Digha in advance to review the implementation of her orders. In a Facebook post, she expressed her pride at Digha’s Jagannath Temple and the countless devotees it has attracted. She also said the temple has revitalised the local economy and transformed Digha into a ‘year-round destination for pilgrims and tourists alike’.
She added, “As we prepare for the first-ever Rath Yatra to be held on the shores of Digha, the anticipation among the people is truly palpable. I have personally arrived here in advance to oversee the final arrangements and to see to it that every aspect, be it security, crowd management, or emergency preparedness, is in place to make this a safe, smooth, and soul-stirring experience for all. Our state administration has worked tirelessly to ensure this celebration reflects the dignity that befits the Lord of the Universe.”
