Bhubaneswar, July 2: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announced a two-day holiday for the Rath Yatra festival on Tuesday. The holiday coincides with the Netra Utsav and Nabajaubana of the deities on July 7 this year. On that day, the chariots will be pulled for a short distance and the procession will resume the following day, mirroring the 1971 Rath Yatra.

Acknowledging the significance of this rare occasion, CM Majhi declared the two-day holiday to allow citizens to fully immerse themselves in the festivities. The decision was made during a high-level meeting at Puri Town Hall, where the CM reviewed preparations for the festival. He urged officials, including the Puri District Collector, Superintendents of Police, and senior administrative officers, to work together to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the festival’s rituals would be performed with utmost tradition and precision, similar to the historic 1971 celebration. He called for interdepartmental cooperation to ensure a seamless and successful event.

On this occasion, CM Majhi highlighted that tribals are the original servants of Lord Jagannath and expressed his devotion as an Adivasi. He also noted that Jagannath is central to the identity of Odia people and that the festival is expected to attract lakhs of devotees from across the country. He appealed to everyone to cooperate and work together to make the Rath Yatra a grand success.

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