Jai Jagannath ! This year President Murmu is also present during the Ratha Yatra celebrations !! and she is wearing such a beautiful saree. Actually President Murmu has an enviable collection of handwoven sarees. Am yet to find the Santhali Saree that she wore as she became the President of India.
Interestingly, President Droupadi Murmu is the first “sitting” President of India to participate in the Jagannath Ratha Yatra. So happy to know that. She is just setting such a great example for those who follow her – living life on your own terms and staying close to your cultural roots. There are 1.5 million devotees who are attending the celebrations this year.
And look at her – she is so graceful. Ofcourse am super biased because am a huge fan, plus that saree is in one of my favourite colours.
Do watch this tiny video clip to understand the kind of energy at the Ratha Yatra. Someday Krishnan and I will witness it in person … whenever Jagannath blesses us with HIS darshan.
Do read the blogpost that I had written last year on the Ratha Yatra. Posted below 👇
Today in Puri, Bhagwan Jagannath, his elder brother Balarama and their sister Subhadra will go from the main temple to their Mausi’s (aunt, mother’s sister) temple, Gundicha temple for ten days. They will go in their respective chariots and that’s the Ratha Yatra. Ratha – Chariot; Yatra – journey.
Do read the Puri Jagannath Sthala Purana to understand the significance of the Ratha Yatra.
Every year the Hanuman Mandir at Sector 43, opposite the Huda City Centre metro station, takes out the Ratha Yatra on the same day that it happens in Puri. The devotees are able to pull the chariot just like they do in Puri. Last year was the first time we heard of this from our neighbour Sonia and wanted to witness it. Bhagwan Jagannath did not give us his darshan last year, but he blessed us this year !
Ratha Yatra – Gurgaon
Sonia, our dear neighbour gets all the credit for helping us get Bhagwan Jagannath’s blessings today. We missed seeing Bhagwan Jagannath with his brother and sister from one gate, but managed to see them as we took the car out of the other gate. Felt truly blessed.
Do see a short clip of the Ratha Yatra in Gurgaon and please do subscribe to our You Tube channel for more such videos. The first few seconds are shot by Sonia, the last 40 odd seconds of the video is shot by me from inside the car –
It was great to see the devotees ignoring the hot sun and truly engrossed in pulling the Ratha. May Jagannath bless them with good health and strength.
At Puri, the world famous Sand Artist, Sudarsan Pattnaik, created the following art installation –
Here is the video about this artwork –
We do hope to witness the Ratha Yatra at Puri at some point in time. It all depends on when Bhagwan Jagannath blesses us and gives his darshan. Till then we will watch him over television and at his temple here in Sector 43.
Jai Jagannath. #HinduTraditions
Jai Jagannatha !! 🙏🙏 I was incredibly blessed with HIS Darshan at Puri this year. I hope HE calls me back. Regardless of all the nonsense going on in the world, the Bhakti and Shraddha of HIS devotees is simply incredible ! This is what keeps our Matru Bhoomi going. Pure faith and sharanagati to HIS Lotus Feet 🙏🙏
That’s wonderful and indeed a blessing Deepa 🙏. Jai Jagannath.