New Delhi : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday extended greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra and expressed hope that the festival would bring harmony, peace and prosperity to the country.
In a post on X on the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra that commences today, Kharge wrote, "Heartfelt greetings to all fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra. It is our sincere wish that this grand festival, imbued with reverence, devotion, and faith, brings harmony, peace, and prosperity to the nation."
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the country's most revered religious festivals, is celebrated today with great devotion as Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, is taken in a grand procession on elaborately decorated chariots, drawing lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad.
Further, President Droupadi Murmu also extended greetings to devotees, saying that the soulful occasion marked the union of the devotee and the Divine is "truly unique." In a post on X, President Murmu prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the country and its people to continue to flourish.
"On the auspicious occasion of Mahaprabhu's Rath Yatra, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all devotees of Shri Jagannath across the country and abroad. It is a widely held belief that during the magnificent tradition of this sacred procession, Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, accompanied by Chakraraj Sudarshan, elder brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, comes out to meet the devotees. This soulful occasion, marking the union of the devotee and the Divine, is truly unique," the President of India's official wrote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also prayed for the well-being and prosperity of all on the occassion. "May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless everyone with good health, happiness and prosperity. May He give us strength for all our endeavours and deepen the spirit of togetherness in our society. Jai Jagannath!" he wrote.
Meanwhile, the three sacred chariots are set to be brought from the Rathakhala to the front of the Jagannath Temple today in Puri following traditional rituals. The chariots - Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra and Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra - will be moved after the Agyan Mala Bije ritual, marking the final preparations before the commencement of the yatra.