Bhubaneswar, June 28 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik today expressed deep concern and anguish over the inordinate delay in pulling the Nandighosh chariot of Lord Jagannath in Puri yesterday.
Taking to social media platform X, the BJD supremo – currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai — said, “We are not here to point fingers or blame the administration for yesterday’s inordinate delay in pulling the Nandighosh chariot.
“But it is impossible not to voice our deep concern and anguish over how things unfolded during the most sacred event of our state,” he remarked.
Recalling a similar lapse last year, Patnaik said, “It is hard to forget how, during the ‘Adapa Bije Pahandi’, Lord Balabhadra’s idol slipped — an incident that left countless devotees shaken.” He added, “This year, we witnessed the Nandighosh Rath still standing at the Singhadwar till 7:45 PM, only to move a few meters before the day ended.
“This has left lakhs of devotees, who came from all over the world to witness this unique event, completely disenchanted and disillusioned.”
The BJD chief further said that hundreds of devotees were injured due to poor crowd management.
“All we can do is pray – may Mahaprabhu Jagannath forgive all, including those responsible for the terrible mess that has overshadowed this divine festival,” he said, calling for deep introspection by the government.
Patnaik concluded with an Odia phrase, “Chaka akhi sabu dekhuchi” (the Lord’s eyes are watching everything).
Meanwhile, the three presiding deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra- who spent yesterday night in their respective chariots on the Grand Road, resumed their journey today morning after the necessary rituals were completed
Lakhs of devotees from across the country participated in the chariot pulling for the second day today, amid chants of “Jai Jagannath” and “Haribol” echoing through the air.
The Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra, which was halted at Balagandi on the Grand Road, began moving first, followed by the Darpadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra.
Finally, the Nandighosh chariot of Lord Jagannath, which had remained a few meters from the main gate of the Sri Jagannath Temple, also resumed its journey.
All three chariots will reach their final destination – the Gundicha Temple today, but the deities will have to spend the night on their respective chariots before being ceremoniously taken into the Gundicha temple during the Pahandi ritual on Sunday.
UNI DP PRS
