Puri Rath Yatra 2024: 53 years later, a unique twist to celebrations this year. Timings, rituals and live streaming

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This year's Rath Yatra will feature crucial rituals such as 'Nabajouban Darshan' and 'Netra Utsav' on Sunday. Typically, these rituals precede the Rath Yatra. 'Nabajouban Darshan' symbolizes the youthful appearance of the deities, who were secluded for 15 days in a ritual known as 'Anasara' (quarantine) following 'Snana Purnima'. Mythologically, the deities are said to fall ill after the excessive bathing ritual of 'Snana Purnima' and thus stay indoors. Before 'Nabajouban Darshan', priests perform 'Netra Utsav', where the deities' eyeballs are freshly painted. The Rath Yatra, also called the Chariot Festival, is considered to be as ancient as the Jagannath Temple itself.

President Droupadi Murmu is expected to join the multitude of devotees witnessing the Rath Yatra on Sunday, for which the state government has arranged her visit meticulously. The Odisha government has implemented extensive measures to ensure the festival proceeds smoothly, even though it is usually organized within a single day. The chariots, stationed in front of the Lion's Gate of the Jagannath temple, will be transported to the Gundicha temple, where they will remain for a week. Devotees will pull the chariots on Sunday afternoon.

How to watch Puri Rath Yatra 2024 online

For those unable to attend in person, the Shri Jagannath Yatra will be live-streamed on the Doordarshan Odia YouTube channel, allowing a global audience to participate virtually.

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2024: Date, legend of Lord Jagannath, history,