Bhopal: The air was filled with devotion and joy as the grand Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra was celebrated across several cities in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. The Rath Yatra, an annual event marking the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, saw thousands of devotees come together to participate in the grand processions held in various cities including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, and Gwalior.
In the state capital, Bhopal, the Rath Yatra commenced from RKMP (Rani Kamalapati Railway Station). Devotees thronged the streets in large numbers, singing and dancing to devotional bhajans. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and spiritual energy as participants competed eagerly to pull the sacred chariot, a ritual believed to be a blessing. The chariot, adorned with flowers and colorful decorations, made its way through the city, greeted by showers of petals at multiple stops.
More than 500 dishes prepared as Bhog
Before the procession began, more than five hundred dishes were prepared as Bhog (offerings) for Lord Jagannath, a testament to the devotion and culinary dedication of the devotees. The offerings included a variety of traditional sweets, savories, and delicacies, prepared meticulously by the volunteers and devotees.
Enthusiasm of devotees palpable in Indore
Indore, another major city in Madhya Pradesh, witnessed a similar spectacle. The Rath Yatra here started from the Chhatribagh temple. The devotion and enthusiasm of the devotees were palpable as they sang hymns and danced with abandon, their spirits undampened by the sweltering heat. The chariot, carrying the idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, moved through the city’s streets, accompanied by a sea of worshippers. The community’s unity and collective faith were on full display, making the event a grand success.
Rath Yatra taken out from ISKCON temple
Other cities like Ujjain, Jabalpur, and Gwalior also celebrated the Rath Yatra with great fervor. Rath Yatra was taken out from ISKCON temple in Ujjain. The elated devotees were seen singing and dancing forward, pulling the three chariots. People have come from far and wide to participate in the Rath Yatra. CM Mohan Yadav offered prayers at Mahakaleshwar Temple during Rath Yatra.
Rath Yatra festival is being celebrated in many cities of the state including Harda and Dewas, Vidisha, Narmadapuram and more., while in Jabalpur, the Rath Yatra began from the Jagannath Temple in Wright Town. Gwalior’s devotees gathered at the historic Jagannath Temple to pull the chariot through the city’s main thoroughfares. In each city, the yatra was marked by an overwhelming turnout, with people from all walks of life coming together to celebrate this auspicious occasion.
