The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, July 17, 2024 (TBB Bureau): In a testament to their unwavering commitment to Odisha’s cultural and spiritual heritage, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, played a pivotal role in this year’s annual Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri.
Over nine days, Vedanta Aluminium served millions of devotees, providing free meals, Mahaprasad, and clean drinking water, ensuring that all participants could fully immerse themselves in the sacred festivities.
The Rath Yatra, an event of profound religious significance, draws millions of devotees from India and across the globe to Puri. They gather to witness the grand procession of the three sibling deities – Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Goddess Subhadra — as they journey from their divine abode ‘Shreemandir’ to Shree Gundicha Temple. This vibrant celebration is the socio-cultural epicenter of Odisha, with the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri beautifully adorned, symbolizing the region’s rich traditions.
As devotees thronged Puri, Vedanta Aluminium highlighted Odisha’s cultural legacy by organizing a Bhajan Sandhya and a cultural program. The company showcased indigenous art forms such as Dhokra and Saura art from the Kalahandi district, art forms that Vedanta Aluminium has been instrumental in reviving. These initiatives were featured at the Pallishree Mela in Puri, organized by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), showcasing Vedanta Aluminium’s dedication to promoting local art and culture.
Simultaneously, Vedanta Aluminium celebrated Rath Yatra at its townships in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh in Odisha, as well as in Korba, Chhattisgarh. These celebrations saw enthusiastic participation from employees, business partners, and their families.
The Lord Jagannath Temple within Vedanta’s Jharsuguda premises, spanning a vast 19,500 square feet, became a beacon of devotion, attracting a large number of regional devotees. The newly inaugurated Lord Jagannath Temple in Kalahandi hosted a Prasad Sevan ceremony for Kalahandi district residents on the eve of Bahuda Yatra, marking the deities’ return to the main temple.
Vedanta Aluminium COO Sunil Gupta expressed the company’s deep connection to the Rath Yatra: “Vedanta Aluminium has proudly participated in the annual Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri for many years. It is our humble privilege to serve the millions of devotees who journey to Puri each year to witness this divine procession, a cornerstone of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. As Odisha’s partner in progress, Vedanta Aluminium is deeply committed to promoting and preserving the region’s vibrant cultural legacy.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s involvement in the world-famous Rath Yatra celebrations goes beyond its corporate responsibilities, embodying its mission to be a custodian of Odisha’s spiritual and cultural wealth. The company’s contributions not only support the physical needs of the millions who attend the Car festival but also reinforce the spiritual and cultural bonds that tie the community together.
