The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
ANGUL, JUNE 20, 2023
The Car Festival (Rath Yatra) festival of the Trinity was celebrated at Devbhoomi in Jindal Nagar here with devotional vibrancy drawing thousands of devotees from all around. The grand chariots — Taladhwaja, Darpadalan and Nandighosh – carrying Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath commenced their annual sojourn from the Temple in Devbhoomi to the Gundicha Temple in the township.
Jindal Steel & Power (JSP) Chairman Naveen Jindal, along with JSP Foundation Chairperson Shallu Jindal joined the Rath Yatra festival as prime servitors.
As part of the ceremonial proceedings, Naveen Jindal participated in the ‘Pahandi Vidhi’ and performed the Chherapanhara, symbolizing the ritualistic cleaning of the path for the majestic chariots before the commencement of the Rath Yatra.
Expressing his humility and gratitude on this auspicious occasion, Naveen Jindal said, “I offer my prayers to the Almighty for blessing us all to serve society. May Lord Jagannath bestow His blessings upon each one of us.”
“I wish everyone in Odisha and in our country a joyous Rath Yatra,” he added.
Extending her greetings to all, Shallu Jindal said “May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless each one of us with good health, good wisdom and devotion to serve the socially vulnerable to build an inclusive India.”
All the rituals were conducted in accordance with the traditions followed at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The auspicious day commenced at 4:30 AM with Manima Daka and Dwar Phita (Door Opening) neeti, followed by Mangal Aalati, Mailam, Tadap Lagi, Abakash Neeti, etc.
The Jindal couple participated in the early morning rituals with utmost devotion, performing all the pujas, including Rath Pratishta, under the guidance of the chief priest of the temple Sri Srikant Ji.
The highlight of this magnificent festival was the enthusiastic participation of girls and women, who pulled the chariot of Goddess Subhadra with great zeal.
Top officials of JSP, including Managing Director Bimlendra Jha accompanied by his wife Shipra Jha; Angul Location Head Hridayeshwar Jha, Executive Director Damodar Mittal accompanied by his wife Anita Mittal, as well as numerous other officials, employees along with their families and members of the community also enthusiastically attended the Rath Yatra. They actively participated in the procession, joining other devotees in pulling the majestic chariots. Community members and all the devotees were served with hot cooked meals as prasad.
In order to reach the maximum number of devotees, the Rath Yatra was live streamed on YouTube, providing thousands of devotees with the opportunity to witness the religious festival.
