Ranchi, Jun 27 (PTI) Thousands of devotees on Friday afternoon took part in the annual Rath Yatra – the pulling of the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities – in Ranchi, amid tight security arrangements.
The chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra started rolling around 5 pm from the Jagannath temple in Dhurwa area in accordance with traditional rituals.
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren extended their greetings to people on the occasion of Rath Yatra.
“Heartfelt greetings to all devotees on the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra. May Lord Jagannath bless this auspicious journey to bring happiness, prosperity, and peace in everyone’s life,” Gangwar said in a post on X.
The chief minister, in another post, said, “May Lord Jagannath bless everyone with good health, happiness, peace and prosperity.” Soren, however, said he could not take part in the Rath Yatra this year as his father is unwell and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi.
“This time, as Baba Dishom Guruji is unwell, I could not participate in the Rath Yatra. I pray to Lord Jagannath that Guruji recovers quickly and returns amongst us, continuing to bestow his blessings as always. May Lord Jagannath bless everyone,” he said.
Shibu Soren (81), the father of the CM, is undergoing treatment at Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital.
He has been in hospital for the past six days and is currently stable, officials said.
The Ranchi administration has made elaborate arrangements for the devotees, who thronged the 17th-century shrine atop the Jagannathpur hills.
Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri earlier in the day reviewed the preparedness and security arrangements, and directed officials concerned to ensure that devotees do not face any problems during the Rath Yatra.
The administration has also imposed a complete ban on the use of plastics during the 10-day festival.
Ranchi SSP Chandan Kumar Sinha stated that stringent security measures have been implemented, including the installation of watchtowers and CCTV cameras within the fair premises.
Sinha added that magistrates and police officers were deployed at all key locations.
Adequate arrangements have been made for electricity supply, mobile toilets, drinking water, fire tenders, and ambulances, Bhajantri said.
The procession of the chariots concluded at a shrine (‘Mausi Bari’) around 1 km from the Jagannath temple. The idols of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra will remain in the shrine for nine days. PTI SAN RBT
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