Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Friday told the State Assembly that this year Rath Yatra in Puri was conducted very smoothly in a hassle-free manner.
Responding to the adjournment motion of the Congress on Rath Yatra mismanagement, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed the house that this year’s Rath Yatra was unique as it included three major rituals—‘Nabajouban Darshan,’ ‘Netra Utsav,’ and the Rath Yatra—on a single day, July 7.
With the cooperation of all servitors and the blessings of Lord Jagannath, the Rath Yatra was conducted smoothly and witnessed by the entire world.
“As per the advice of Gajapati Maharaj and other experts on Jagannath culture, chariots need to be pulled on Srigundicha. So, we started preparing accordingly and with full support of the servitors and the blessings the trinity , the Rath Yatra was held smoothly and the entire world witnessed it,” Harichandan said.
Later, all other rituals like Adapa Mandap darshan, Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha were conducted which was appreciated by everyone from across the country through various social media platform, the minister added.
So, the adjournment motion of the Congress party was base-less, he said.
Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Rama Chandra Kadam moved the adjournment motion on the alleged mismanagement of Rath Yatra. He claimed that the government tried to cover up an incident during the ‘pahandi’ (ceremonial procession) ritual of Lord Balabhadra.
BJD MLA Byomkesh Ray also criticised the BJP government, accusing it of treating the Rath Yatra as a party event.
He noted that Lord Balabhadra fell during the ‘pahandi’ ritual and pointed out the absence of both the Law Minister and the chief administrator of the Jagannath temple.
