President Murmu extends greetings on Rath Yatra, prays for global peace

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday (June 27, 2025) greeted citizens on the occasion of Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and prayed for an atmosphere of peace, friendship and affection in the entire world.

During the annual yatra, chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are pulled from Shri Jagannath temple to Shree Gundicha temple in Puri. Lakhs of devotees gather there to be part of the grand festival. Similar yatras are also taken out in other parts of the country.

"On the occasion of the holy Rath Yatra, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to the devotees of Mahaprabhu Jagannath living in India and abroad," Ms. Murmu said in a post on X.

Lakhs of devotees get divine experience by seeing Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Chakraraj Sudarshan seated on the chariot, she said.

"The human play of these divine forms is the specialty of Rath Yatra. On this auspicious occasion, it is my prayer to Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath that there should be an atmosphere of peace, friendship and affection in the entire world," Ms. Murmu said.