The 143rd Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is set to take place in Patan, Gujarat. This important event will begin from the Jagannath Temple, located near the Rokadiya Gate on Friday. Ahead of the main procession, a grand Mahabhishek ceremony was held on Thursday morning. This ceremony was conducted despite heavy rain, showcasing the devotion of the attendees.
The Mahabhishek involved 35 learned Brahmins from North Gujarat, who performed the ritual with great reverence. The main host for the event was a well-known builder from Patan, Bebabhai Seth, accompanied by his wife Nitaben and five other families. The Brahmins chanted Vedic mantras as they offered Panchamrit abhishek to Lord Jagannath. The heavy rain, referred to as Meghraj, added to the sanctity of the occasion, with the families feeling blessed by the divine shower.
During the ceremony, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, were adorned with new clothes. The temple premises were beautifully decorated for the event. At precisely 12:39 PM, the host family raised the flag on the temple’s shikhara while chanting ‘Jai Ranchhod, Makhanchor’.
Many devotees attended the ceremony, enjoying the blessings and prasad offered during the Mahabhishek. To honour the hard work of the community members who have been preparing for the Rath Yatra for the last two months, the Jagannath Temple Trust presented certificates and T-shirts to the volunteers. The managing trustee of the trust, Piyushbhai Acharya, along with other trustees and notable residents, were present at the event.
The Rath Yatra is a significant event in Gujarat, especially in Patan, where the local community comes together to celebrate their faith. This year, the Rath Yatra is scheduled for July 7, 2024. Astrologers predict that five rare planetary alignments will occur on this day, making it even more special for the devotees. The second day of the month of Ashadh is when Lord Jagannath, accompanied by his brother and sister, embarks on a journey to their aunt’s home, a tradition that has been followed for centuries.
The Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, is known for its grandeur, with three elaborately decorated chariots. In Patan, the celebrations might not be as large-scale, but the devotion is equally profound. The local community takes pride in their participation and the opportunity to witness the divine procession.
As the date approaches, preparations are in full swing. The local temple committee is working hard to ensure that everything goes smoothly. The Rath Yatra is not just a religious event; it is a celebration of community, culture, and shared faith.
In conclusion, the 143rd Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Patan promises to be a beautiful representation of devotion and community spirit. With the blessings of the divine, the residents of Patan are ready to embrace this sacred tradition once again.
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