West Bengal Minister Sumana Sarkar said that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will participate in the traditional Ulta Rath Yatra of Guptipada for the first time. He called it a matter of pride for the state. Before this unique festival, a 286 year old ritual of ‘Bhandar Loot’ also took place.
West Bengal Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Sumana Sarkar on Friday said it is a matter of pride that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is visiting Guptipada in Hooghly district to witness the traditional Ulta Rath Yatra ceremony. He described it as the first such visit by a Chief Minister.
The government said, “Such a unique festival is not celebrated anywhere else in India; it is celebrated only in Guptipada under Balagarh assembly constituency of Hooghly district. And for the first time in the history of Bengal, a Chief Minister is coming to witness this unique tradition of Guptipada. It is a matter of pride for us that the Chief Minister of the state, Suvendu Adhikari, and the Finance Minister, Dr. Swapan Das Gupta, are participating in this grand event.”
He said that this festival, which is celebrated only in Guptipada, holds a unique place in the cultural traditions of the state.
286 year old ‘Bhandar Loot’ ritual
On Thursday, a 286-year-old traditional ‘Bhandar Loot’ ritual was held at Guptipada ahead of the Ulta Rath Yatra, in which a large number of devotees thronged the temple storehouse to symbolically collect and “loot” the earthen pots of sacred food prasad (bhog).
Meanwhile, BJP West Bengal in a post on Twitter said, “On the auspicious occasion of Ulta Rath Yatra, hearty greetings and good wishes to all. May Lord Jagannath bestow his divine grace, peace and good health on every household. Jai Jagannath!”
Financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to travel committees
Earlier, during a meeting, financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each was handed over to Mahesh Bhagwan Jagannath Rath Yatra Committee, Balagarh Guptipada Rath Yatra Committee and Chandannagar Rath Steering Committee.
The administration said the grant is aimed at ensuring smooth, safe and efficient management of the festival and maintaining security on the procession routes.
Emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts, District Magistrate Khurshid Ali Qadri urged the organizers and volunteers to give priority to safety and preparedness during the festival.
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