GUWAHATI: The annual Guwahati Jagannath Rathayatra Festival, set to commence today, promises to unite communities across the Northeast in a celebration of cultural diversity and devotion.
Spanning nine days and culminating with the Ulta Rathayatra on July 15, the festival aims to foster unity and peace through socio-cultural and devotional activities.
Now in its 23rd year, the festival has become a hallmark event, drawing over 10,000 participants from various backgrounds every year.
This year’s festivities kick off with the grand Sri Jagannath Rathayatra procession starting from Srinagar Traffic Point, opposite Hotel Gateway Grandeur on G.S. Road, and concluding at Jagannath Cultural Complex in Jayanagar.
Distinguished guests including Surya Kanta Hazarika, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Dr. Manoj Kumar Goswami, Bajrang Lohia, and Deeplina Deka will grace the inaugural ceremony.
A highlight of the festival is a seven-day programme of “Srimad Bhagavad Katha” to be delivered by His Grace Sachipati Das from ISKCON, New Delhi, starting July 8 at Jagannath Cultural Complex.
The Katha sessions, scheduled from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm daily, aim to deepen spiritual understanding and community cohesion.
The festivities culminate with the Ulta Rathayatra (Return Journey) on July 15, beginning at Cotton University, Panbazar, and traversing through various landmarks before concluding at ASTC parking, Ulubari.
The event’s grandeur and spiritual significance are expected to resonate across Guwahati, reinforcing the festival’s message of universal brotherhood.
However, in anticipation of the procession’s impact on traffic flow, Guwahati Traffic Police have issued advisories for affected areas including GS Road, RP Road, Beltola-Basistha Road, Tripura Gali, VIP Road, and others.
Commuters are advised to plan alternate routes and cooperate with traffic management efforts to ensure smooth transit during the festival period.
As preparations continue in full swing, the Guwahati Jagannath Rathayatra Festival stands poised to enrich the city’s cultural tapestry while promoting harmony and spiritual rejuvenation among all participants.
