Kolkata, June 27 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday inaugurated the first Rath Yatra from the newly built Jagannath temple in Digha, marking a significant cultural milestone for the coastal town in East Midnapore district on Friday evening.



The event saw thousands of enthusiastic devotees—including many from abroad—chanting “Joy Jagannath” as the chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra, rolled through a 750-metre route. The Chief Minister, accompanied by her cabinet colleagues, ceremonially pulled the ropes of the chariots and swept the path with a golden broom before offering 'arati' to the deities around 2 pm.



To maintain order during the grand procession, the state government erected barricades along the entire nearly one-kilometre stretch. Banerjee had earlier clarified that while devotees would not be allowed to flood the streets, they would still be able to touch the chariot ropes from behind the barricades via ropes placed adjacent to the guardrails.



Despite this provision, the decision to restrict movement drew mixed reactions from the large gathering of pilgrims, some of whom expressed disappointment at not being allowed to fully participate in the traditional chariot-pulling experience.



The festivities included vibrant cultural performances. A group of ISKCON devotees from abroad, along with their children, performed devotional dances to the tune of “Hare Ram, Hare Krishna” and music by Madhab’s rock band, adding a global touch to the spiritual celebration.



The newly inaugurated Jagannath temple—constructed at a cost of Rs 250 crore by the West Bengal government—is envisioned as both a spiritual and cultural hub. Designed in the traditional Kalinga style, the temple is a close replica of the iconic Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, located approximately 345 km away.



Made with pink sandstone sourced from Rajasthan, the temple boasts intricate craftsmanship from over 800 artisans. Key architectural features include the Bhoga Mandap, Nata Mandap, Jagamohan, and Garbhagriha, echoing the 12th-century temple in Puri. However, unlike the original, the Digha temple is open to people of all faiths, including non-Hindus and foreigners.



Spread across 20 acres, the complex includes grand gates such as the Singhadwar, Byaghradwar, Hastidwar, and Ashwadwar. It also houses a shrine dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and a separate Bhogshala for preparing offerings for Lord Jagannath.



Since its formal inauguration on April 30, the temple has been a subject of political debate, especially following criticism from servitors of the Puri temple. Nonetheless, it is expected to emerge as a major pilgrimage and tourism destination on Bengal’s coast.

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