West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari launched the 55th ISKCON Rath Yatra in Kolkata. He performed the ‘Chheda Pahanra’ ritual and pulled the rope of the chariot. Recalling the contribution of Srila Prabhupada, the CM demanded declaring his house as a heritage site.
Kolkata (West Bengal) [भारत]July 16 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday inaugurated ISKCON’s 55th annual Rath Yatra in Kolkata by performing the sacred ritual of ‘Chheda Pahanra’ and pulling the ceremonial rope of Lord Jagannath’s chariot.
The Chief Minister reached the ISKCON temple located on Albert Road, where he first performed the soulful ‘Aarti’ of Radha Madhav. After this, they performed the ‘Chheda Pahanra’ ritual, which is the traditional ritual of sweeping the chariot path with a golden broom. He then joined hundreds of devotees in pulling the rope tied to the chariot, marking the beginning of the Lord’s journey.
CM Adhikari remembered Srila Prabhupada
Adhikari told ANI, “Srila Prabhupada played an important role in globalizing the Ratha Yatra and Indian cultural heritage in more than 100 countries… I feel blessed both as a nationalist and a Sanatani to be starting this yatra in Kolkata, which thousands of devotees are waiting for, and performing the Aarti of Radha Madhava… Srila Prabhupada’s house in Kolkata should be declared a heritage site.”
The Chief Minister also praised the socio-economic contribution of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), saying, “ISKCON contributes majorly to health, education and nutrition… We will work with them.”
Importance of Jagannath Rath Yatra
Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of the largest and most prestigious religious festivals of India, is celebrated every year in Puri, Odisha. During the festival, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, are taken in grand chariots from the Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple. Lakhs of devotees gather to pull these elevated chariots, believing that this brings divine blessings and spiritual virtue.
This year’s Rath Yatra – the 149th Rath Yatra – began on July 16, and the nine-day festival will conclude with the Bahuda Yatra on July 24. The deities are scheduled to formally re-enter the Jagannath temple on July 27. (ANI)
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