Bhubaneswar: As preparations for the iconic Rath Yatra enter their final phase, Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has appealed to devotees and visitors to avoid using single-use plastics during the festival.
In a video message on Tuesday, Pradhan highlighted the spiritual significance of the Rath Yatra, which will begin in three days, symbolizing Lord Jagannath’s benevolence and accessibility to devotees worldwide. The Odisha government and district administration are working tirelessly to ensure a smooth and grand celebration.
The deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshana—will leave the ‘Ratna Singhasana’ and proceed to the ‘Bada Danda,’ where thousands of devotees from across the globe are expected to gather and take part in the chariot-pulling ceremony.
ଜୟ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ 🙏
ଶ୍ରୀକ୍ଷେତ୍ର ପୁରୀରେ ରଥଯାତ୍ରାରୁ ବାହୁଡ଼ା ଯାତ୍ରା ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ‘ସିଙ୍ଗଲ୍ ୟୁଜ୍ ପ୍ଲାଷ୍ଟିକ’କୁ ବର୍ଜନ କରିବା । ଭକ୍ତିଭାବ ଓ ନିଷ୍ଠା ସହକାରେ ପୁରୀର ପରିବେଶକୁ ସ୍ୱଚ୍ଛ ଓ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ରଖିବା ପାଇଁ ସଂକଳ୍ପ ନେବା । pic.twitter.com/PSi91j1HPE
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 24, 2025
However, the Minister expressed concern about the environmental impact of single-use plastics commonly used during the festival. He stressed that such plastics pollute the ‘Bada Danda,’ harm local wildlife, and contaminate nearby water bodies, including the sea and canals.
Reiterating Odisha’s commitment to the “Swachh Odisha, Khushi Odisha” mission, Pradhan urged everyone to refrain from using single-use plastics in Puri from the start of Rath Yatra until the Bahuda Yatra on July 5.
This effort is aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come.
