New Delhi: Thousands of devotees gathered at Kamala Nagar in New Delhi on Sunday to participate in the Shree Jagannath Rath Yatra, which was taken out untimely. Organised by Geeta Bhawan and Panchayati Bhawan Trust, the event saw enthusiastic participation from across Delhi, with devotees eagerly pulling the chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also joined in the festivities, highlighting the significance of this age-old spiritual tradition. According to Chief Priest Dina Bandhu Goswami, this marks the 20th year of organising the Rath Yatra, which was held on Sunday due to the holiday.
However, the untimely Rath Yatra has drawn criticism, with concerns raised about adhering to traditional dates. Goswami acknowledged the deviation and expressed intentions to discuss and potentially align with the specific date of Lord Jagannath in future celebrations.
The incident has prompted the government to take notice, with Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan emphasising the importance of conducting Rath Yatra in accordance with temple administration rules and regulations. Measures are being taken to prevent similar untimely events, and legal action will be considered if organisations deviate from Lord Jagannath rituals.