This year, Patan’s 143rd Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath featured a special campaign on organ donation. For the first time, the event included informative displays and pamphlets on organ donation, organised by the Charitable Trust for Organ Donation and Neeraj Seva Trust, in collaboration with Siddham Seva Trust and Cream Foundation. These displays drew much attention from the thousands of devotees attending the festival. The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation among the public.
During the Rath Yatra, the organisers distributed pamphlets to educate attendees about organ donation. The displays featured slogans encouraging people to consider organ donation as a noble act. The messages aimed to inspire the audience to become ‘angels’ for their loved ones by pledging to donate organs.
The team behind this initiative included notable individuals such as Dilipbhai Deshmukh, a prominent organ donation advocate, and K.C. Patel, an independent director at Hudco. They guided a group of volunteers, including Darshakbhai Trivedi, Mahendrabhaiji Joshi, Snehalbhai Patel, and Dharitbhai Mehta, who interacted with the public. They explained what organ donation is and why it is essential.
The Rath Yatra, which began on June 27, is a significant event in Patan and attracts thousands of devotees. This year, the Rath Yatra included various religious festivals and activities organised by the Jagannath Temple Trust and the Rath Yatra Committee. Piyush Acharya, the managing trustee of the Jagannath Temple Trust, provided details about the event to local journalists at a press conference.
The Rath Yatra also features a variety of rituals and activities leading up to the main procession. On June 21, the traditional ‘Keri’ (mango) ceremony will take place, marking the beginning of the celebrations. The water procession will start from Ganesh Ashram on June 22, where the idol of Lord Jagannath will be carried in a palanquin. The procession will pass through various streets before returning to the temple for rituals.
On June 24, the Bhairav Mandal and Jagannathji Mandal will host devotional singing events that are expected to draw large crowds. The culmination of the celebrations will be the eye-opening ceremony on June 25, where the idol will be returned to the temple after a series of rituals.
The local authorities have assured that they will provide full support to ensure the Rath Yatra proceeds smoothly. The district collector has committed to addressing any potential issues along the route to maintain law and order during this significant occasion. Measures will be taken to ensure safety and cleanliness along the procession route, with cooperation from various departments.
Overall, the inclusion of the organ donation awareness campaign in this year’s Rath Yatra represents a significant step towards educating the public about the benefits and importance of organ donation. As the Rath Yatra continues to grow in size and significance, such initiatives help to blend tradition with social responsibility, making the event not just a religious celebration but also a platform for vital health awareness.
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