JAMMU, Jul 16: The Jagannath Rath Yatra Sewa Sansthan Trust organised the 14th Jagannath Rath Yatra in Jammu on Thursday, coinciding with the nationwide celebration of the sacred festival.
According to a press note issued by the Trust, thousands of devotees participated in the yatra, which is organised with great religious fervour and devotion.
The organisers said that the Rath Yatra holds immense spiritual significance, as devotees believe that the darshan of Lord Jagannath while seated on the chariot brings divine blessings and liberation. They also described the festival as a symbol of faith, devotion and spiritual awakening.
The yatra was organised under the leadership of Pradhan Ratikanta Swain, with the support of his associates and the people of Jammu.
As per the announced route, the procession commenced from MA Stadium Outer Gate and passed through Vinayak Bazaar, Jewel Chowk, St. Peter’s School, Resham Ghar Colony, Maheshpura Chowk, Arya Singh Sabha, Prem Road, Main Bazaar, Bakshi Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Main Bazaar, Geeta Mandir, Akhnoor Road, Rajpura Chungi, Kamal Palace Road, Talab Tillo, and Canal Road, before concluding at Vikas Lane.
Swain highlighted the historical and religious significance of Lord Jagannath, recounting the traditional belief associated with King Indradyumna and the divine origin of the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.
According to Hindu tradition, Swain said, during the Treta Yuga, King Indradyumna dreamt of the divine form of Lord Neel Madhav. Inspired by the vision, he searched extensively for the deity. When he could not locate the idol, Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream and instructed him that a sacred log of wood would emerge from the sea, from which His idols should be carved.
“The divine architect Lord Vishwakarma, disguised as a sculptor, undertook the task of carving the idols on the condition that no one should disturb him for 21 days. However, before the stipulated period was over, the King, concerned by the silence from inside the workshop, opened the door. As a result, the idols remained in their unfinished form, which is why the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are worshipped in their unique and distinctive appearance to this day,” Swain said.