Ranchi, July 15: The historic Jagannath Rath Yatra of Ranchi, one of the oldest and most revered religious processions in eastern India, will commence on Thursday, carrying forward an uninterrupted tradition spanning 335 years.
Thousands of devotees, dignitaries, public representatives and officials are expected to participate in the grand procession from the Jagannathpur Temple to Mausibari (Gundicha Temple), marking the beginning of the 10-day Jagannathpur Rath Mela.
The day will begin with a special puja and aarti at 4 am, followed by public darshan from 5 am to 2 pm. After the ceremonial installation of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra on the chariot, the Rath Yatra will begin at 5 pm and is expected to reach Mausibari around 6 pm. The deities will remain at Mausibari for nine days before returning to the main temple during the Bahuda Rath Yatra.
The Rath Yatra holds immense religious significance, with devotees believing that pulling the Lord’s chariot brings divine blessings and spiritual merit equivalent to performing a hundred yajnas.
Alongside the religious festivities, the Jagannathpur Rath Mela has transformed the temple surroundings into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub. More than 2,000 stalls have been set up by traders from Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, offering handicrafts, household goods, traditional food and religious items.
The fair also features nearly 25 amusement rides, including gravity swings, jungle safari attractions, robotic animals and other entertainment facilities for visitors. Cultural programmes by around 150 artists from the Directorate of Arts will be held from July 19 to July 25.
The Marwari Sahayak Samiti, associated with the Rath Yatra since 1913, is once again overseeing temple decoration, puja arrangements, flower offerings and distribution of prasad with the support of more than 100 volunteers.
“The committee was formed specifically for the Rath Yatra in 1913 and has since been managing the Rath Yatra and temple decoration every year,” said Vinod Jain, President of the Marwari Sahayak Samiti.
To facilitate devotees, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth has established a dedicated assistance camp with 200 volunteers, medical facilities and other essential services.
“This camp has been set up to ensure that devotees attending this historic Rath Mela do not face any difficulties. Our workers will provide every possible assistance to the visiting devotees,” Seth said.
The fair coordinator said all preparations had been completed for the festival.
“All arrangements have been completed. The 10-day fair will remain vibrant throughout the festival,” the coordinator said.
Highlighting the attractions, contractor Vicky Pandey said, “The gravity swing will be one of the major attractions of this year’s fair.”
Authorities have put in place elaborate security measures, including five watch towers, extensive barricading, 62 CCTV cameras and deployment of additional police personnel along the procession route and fairgrounds to ensure smooth conduct of the event.
The Health Department has deployed three dedicated medical teams comprising 21 personnel and arranged round-the-clock emergency medical services until the return Rath Yatra on July 25. A special medical team has also been stationed at the Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC), Jagannathpur.
“The safety and health of devotees are our top priority, and prompt medical assistance will be ensured during the event,” Health Department officials said.
The Jagannathpur Temple, established in 1691 by Nagvanshi king Aninath Shahdev and modelled on the famous Jagannath Temple of Puri, remains a prominent symbol of Jharkhand’s religious and cultural heritage. Continuing another centuries-old tradition, the Lohara family has once again constructed the chariot voluntarily as a sacred service to the deity.
With elaborate arrangements in place and thousands of devotees expected to gather, Ranchi is set to witness yet another grand celebration of faith, culture and communal harmony through its iconic Jagannath Rath Yatra.
