PNS
Ranchi
Thousands of devotees thronged the historic Jagannathpur Temple in Ranchi on Friday as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra returned to the main shrine during the traditional Ghurti Rath Yatra, marking the conclusion of the city’s annual nine-day Rath festival.
The deities had departed for the Gundicha Temple (Mausibari) on July 16 and returned after a nine-day stay, in keeping with the centuries-old Jagannath tradition. Devotees enthusiastically pulled the chariots amid chants of “Jai Jagannath,” creating a deeply devotional atmosphere.
Ranchi’s 335-year-old Rath Yatra follows the traditions associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri. According to Hindu belief, the festival commemorates Lord Jagannath’s visit to his aunt’s house and his ceremonial return to the main temple. The return journey also coincided with Devshayani Ekadashi, marking the beginning of Chaturmas, the four-month period during which Lord Vishnu is believed to enter divine slumber.
Large crowds gathered along the procession route and around the temple complex, while the concluding day of the fair featured amusement rides, cultural festivities and distribution of prasad.
The district administration made elaborate security, traffic, parking and medical arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. The Rath Mahotsav, held from July 16 to 25, drew lakhs of devotees. With the return of the deities, regular worship and darshan at the Jagannathpur Temple have now resumed.
