President Draupadi Murmu has shared personal details of her lifelong devotion to Lord Jagannath by writing an article on the Rath Yatra. He has described Mahaprabhu as his source of strength and guidance in his journey from childhood memories to becoming the President.
President Draupadi Murmu has shared a deeply personal account of her lifelong devotion to Lord Jagannath, describing the deity as her constant source of strength and guidance through life’s challenges. The President wrote a letter on the occasion of the Rath Yatra. Recalling fond childhood memories, his first darshan in Puri and the emotional moment of walking barefoot with Bada Danda after assuming charge as President, he said that he has always felt the divine presence of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and is committed to serve the nation under his blessings.
In the article titled “On the Grand Road of Puri”, the President recalled his childhood memories of singing hymns dedicated to Lord Jagannath and how his faith in Mahaprabhu remained a constant source of strength throughout his life. Sharing an excerpt from the article on Twitter, the President wrote: “O Mahabahu! May your blessings always keep my spirit of dedication to the service of the people! O Kripanidhi! Provide your gracious protection to our country and the entire world.”
Journey from childhood to Rashtrapati Bhavan
This article traces President Murmu’s association with Lord Jagannath from her early years in Odisha, where she grew up hearing stories about the deity and learning about the significance of the Jagannath Temple, the annual Rath Yatra and the sacred Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Puri.
Recalling her first visit to Puri as a student, Rashtrapati writes that the memory of her first darshan of Lord Jagannath remains vivid and describes the temple and the deities as unforgettable.
She also highlights the unique significance of the Rath Yatra, noting that devotees visit the temple throughout the year, but it is during the annual festival that Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Sudarshan, come out of the temple to bless the devotees during their visit to the Gundicha temple.
The President further recalls the period when she was nominated for the post of President of India in 2022, and says that she prayed to Lord Jagannath for guidance and strength. He recalled offering prayers at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Delhi’s Hauz Khas on the day of the Rath Yatra before filing his nomination papers and later feeling the presence of the deity during his swearing-in ceremony as President.
President Murmu also contemplates her Puri visit in November 2022 after assuming office. She describes a highly spiritual experience on reaching Bada Danda, where she stopped her motor vehicle and walked barefoot towards the Jagannath temple with her eyes fixed on the temple’s Neel Chakra and Patita Pavan flag. Describing the moment she entered the temple and saw the deities, Rashtrapati writes that she was immersed in divine bliss and reiterates her belief that Lord Jagannath belongs to all people without social discrimination.
Concluding the article with a prayer for the nation and humanity, President Murmu writes, “O Mahabahu! May your blessings always keep my spirit of dedication to the service of the people! O Kripanidhi! Provide your gracious protection to our country and the entire world.” She says this prayer reflects her commitment to serve every section of the society under the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
Importance of Rath Yatra
This article is written on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra, one of the most important festivals associated with Lord Jagannath in Puri. During the festival, Lord Jagannath along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken from the Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple in grand chariots. Lakhs of devotees gather to pull the 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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