Puri (Odisha) [India], June 27 : As the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra began in Puri on Friday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra said that this is a beautiful tradition followed by the people of Odisha.
Talking about the Rath Yatra, Patra told ANI, " Since times immemorial, it is believed that Lord Jagannath himself resides here and from here, he runs the universe... After the 'Snaan Purnima', traditionally, the Lord falls sick and is treated. And today, he will set off for the Gundicha Temple (the abode of his aunt), which is 3 km away. This is a beautiful tradition followed by the people of Odisha... The Lord himself steps out to give 'darshan' to his devotees..."
Earlier today, Patra shared a video on his official X handle, extending wishes on the occasion of the sacred Rath Yatra.
He wrote, "Victory to Lord Jagannath. Heartfelt best wishes to all of you on the occasion of the sacred Rath Yatra of Lord Shri Jagannath Ji. I pray that this divine journey, filled with devotion, faith, and reverence, brings happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health to everyone's life."
Meanwhile, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA from Puri, Sunil Kumar Mohanty, also extended greetings to devotees.
"Today is a holy day. Lord Jagannath is arriving...along with his brother and sister. Lord Jagannath will give 'darshan' to devotees across Odisha, India and the world. I wish the devotees get the blessing of Lord Jagannath...The Rath Yatra happens with the wish of the Lord...The Lord instructs the police and administration. The Yatra will commence in an hour," he said.
The devotees were also relieved by a brief spell of rain in the temple town amid the humid conditions.
Mohanty added, "Last three-four days the weather is good, today it also rained a bit. There is always pressure on the fire department to spray the water, but this time, Lord Jagannath poured the water himself."
The temple town of Puri is all set to witness the 2025 Jagannath Rath Yatra, which commences today. During the festival, devotees draw the grand chariots of the three deities -- Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra, and sister goddess Subhadra -- to the Gundicha Temple, where the deities reside for a week before returning to the Jagannath Temple.