Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik voiced deep concern and anguish over the significant delay in pulling the Nandighosha chariot during the Rath Yatra in Puri, highlighting the distress it caused among devotees.
In a tweet posted today, Patnaik refrained from directly blaming the administration but expressed disappointment over the mismanagement that marred the sacred festival.
Patnaik referenced last year’s unsettling incident when Lord Balabhadra’s idol slipped during the Pahandi Bije at Adapa Mandap, which had already shaken devotees. This year, the Nandighosha chariot, carrying Lord Jagannath, remained stationary at the Singhadwar until 7:45 PM on June 27, 2025, and moved only a few meters by the end of the day.
“That understandably has left lakhs of devotees who came from all over the world to witness this unique event completely disenchanted and disillusioned,” Patnaik tweeted, also noting that hundreds of devotees were injured due to poor crowd management.
Concluding his statement with a prayer, Patnaik wrote, “May Mahaprabhu Jagannath forgive all those responsible for the terrible mess that has overshadowed this divine festival this year. I hope it leads to deep introspection by all in government.”
Notably, the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra witnessed the grand procession of the three chariots along the Badadanda yesterday. However, none of the chariots could reach the Gundicha Temple, known as Sharadhabali on Friday.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan explained that the delay in the Rath Yatra was due to an unprecedented turnout of devotees this year and the intricate process of maneuvering Lord Balabhadra’s chariot.
