New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday greeted citizens on the occasion of Rath Yatra and prayed that Lord Jagannath would bring them happiness, prosperity and health.
“My warm greetings and best wishes to all the countrymen, especially all the devotees in Odisha, on the auspicious occasion of the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. I wish that with the blessings of Lord Jagannath, the lives of all the countrymen remain full of happiness, prosperity and health,” tweeted Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people everyone on the special occasion of the Rath Yatra.
Greetings to everyone on the special occasion of the Rath Yatra. We bow to Lord Jagannath and pray that his blessings bring good health and prosperity in everyone’s lives. Jai Jagannath!
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also wished people that Lord may shower his blessings on everyone and fill everyone’s life with good health, prosperity and good fortune.
Taking to Twitter Amit Shah said, “Hearty greetings to all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath shower his blessings on everyone and fill everyone’s life with good health, prosperity and good fortune. Jai Jagannath!” Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister also performed ‘aarti’ at Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad before the annual Rath Yatra takes off from the temple.
The Yatra celebrates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple, their aunt’s home, some 2.5 kilometres away.
The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Shree Jagannath in Puri will be held this year and servitors who have received vaccine shots and test negative for Covid-19 will be allowed to attend rituals.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected a batch of petitions seeking direction to conduct Rath Yatra across Odisha and not only in Puri Jagannath temple, as permitted by the Odisha State Government in its order earlier.
The Odisha State Government had allowed and permitted to conduct the Rath Yatra only in Puri Jagannath temple with strict COVID-19 restrictions and protocols.
