Millennium's First Nabakalebar Rath Yatra Begins in Puri

 

Thousand of devotees converged in Puri as the millennium's firstv Nabakalebar Rath Yatra commenced today Saturday July 18,2015

Nabakalebara Rath Yatra occurs once in 12 or 19 years depending whichever year has two Ashadha (rainy season). Nabakalebara – periodical renewal of wooden images of all three dieties – adds significance to Rath Yatra as the chariots carry the new idols carved out of sacred woods, which are identified after elaborate rituals.

Nabakalebara is the periodical renewal of the wooden images of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. It is celebrated once in either 12 or 19 years. The 20th century has witnessed six such festivals — in 1912, 1931, 1950, 1969, 1977 and 1996

The yatra, which commenced from the Puri temple, will conclude at Shree Gundicha temple, covering nearly 2.5 km distance, in nine days. The yatra will conclude on July 29,2015 

The Odisha administration has made arrangements for free bus service from the newly-constructed Malatipur bus terminus to carry pilgrims to the town, while the Railways ministry has announced running of 216 special trains to ferry passengers from across the country.

State government officials expect more than 30 lakh tourists during the week-long celebration

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has deputed four ministers and an army of bureaucrats to supervise the smooth functioning of the festival.

A five-layered security cordon has been put in place in Puri while over 200 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed to keep a close vigil on the tourists' movement in the city.

Puri has about 500 hotels, 200 lodgings, 100 ashrams and dharamshalas — all of which have been filled up. Thirty three Nabakalebara villages (tourist shelters) have been erected to accommodate tourists.

Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Puri was chock-a-block as the sacred wood of Lord Jagannath made its way to the temple

 

The 3-km-long Bada Danda (grand road) between the Jagannath Temple and Gundicha Temple is jam-packed with pilgrims. 

The three gigantic colourfully decked up wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra have been kept ready in the morning near the temple on the Bada Danda ready to be pulled by ropes by thousands of devotees.

15 lakh watch Nabakalebar Rath Yatra; 2 killed, 10 hurt in stampede

 

Around 15 lakh devotees witnessed the century's first Nabakalebar Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath which was marred by stampede like situation in which two women were killed and 10 others injured in Puri on Saturday July 18,2015

 

Two women died in the incident and some injured persons were taken to district headquarters hospital," Chief District Medical  Officer (CDMO) of Puri, Gyanendra Sahu said.

Barring the mishap caused by pushing and shoving on the Grand Road which saw massive surge of humanity, the festival passed of peacefully, DGP Sanjeev Marik said.

Lakhs of devotees from across the world converged at the pilgrim town to witness commencement of the nine-day journey of the new idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to Gundicha Temple and back to their abode.

Devotees from all walks of life made a beeline to the town since yesterday for the world famous annual festival of chariots to catch a glimpse of the presiding deities of the 12th century shrine of Sri Jagannath.

A host of VVIPs including Governor S C Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik witnessed the mega event. Also present were Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.