Children lead the way in Old Town's Badhei Banka
1
2
Bhubaneswar: What began as a childhood initiative in the narrow lanes of Bada Danda Sahi in Badhei Banka area in Old Town has now blossomed into a major cultural and religious event.
A group of children built a small chariot and pulled it through the bylanes of Badhei Banka 18 years ago, inspired by the Rath Yatra in Puri. The humble initiative has now transformed into the Badhei Banka Rath Yatra, featuring a 21-ft-high chariot and drawing a huge gathering from across the city.
The annual festival, entirely led and organised by children and youth of the locality, showcases not just devotion but a strong sense of community spirit.
From constructing the chariot to observing rituals and pulling it down the Rath Road, children take the centre stage in every aspect of the festival.
"When we were in Class V, we made a small wooden chariot and went around the neighbourhood. After a couple of years, elders noticed our procession and helped us to improve by increasing the size of the chariot and following the rituals with sincerity and devotion. They helped us in bringing it from bylanes to the Bada Danda," said 27-year-old Shakti Prasad Sahu, one of the founding members.
Fellow organiser Sushil Praharaj said, "For the last several years, we never faced any major challenge. The entire community stands with us. From our elders to small kids, everyone participates, and that's what makes our Rath Yatra special."
What makes the celebration unique is the year-long involvement of children. Starting from collecting funds to painting the chariots and performing rituals, children take an active role in all works.
The idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are kept at the local Bhagabata Tungi, where they are worshipped daily by the children. They also observe important festivals of Lord Jagannath.
The children strictly follow rituals and maintain dietary discipline during the nine-day Rath Yatra. "We all quit non-vegetarian food and maintain a sattvik lifestyle during the festival. We feel proud to carry on the tradition," said Priyanshu Sahoo, aged 13.
The Rath Yatra also celebrates Odisha's rich folk traditions. Cultural programmes including banati, sankhua, mardala, ghanta, badi khela, traditional dances and other performances are held as part of the festivities.
"Many say children are only interested in mobile phones and video games. But our Rath Yatra shows how spirituality and tradition are deeply rooted among the younger generation. In the process, the youngsters are grooming the next generation of devotees and cultural custodians," said Jitendra Kumar Patra, a resident and parent.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Iskcon to host Rath Yatra on June 29
Prayagraj: Devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) Prayagraj are gearing up to celebrate the much-awaited annual Jagannath Rath Yatra on June 29. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Rath Yatra will commence at 4 pm from Hira Halwai Crossing and pass through Subhash Chauraha and Hanuman Mandir before culminating at the KP ground. According to Achyuta Mohan Das, the temple president, during the yatra, Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra will sit on the chariot. Preparations began a month in advance with the formation of FOJ (Friends of Jagannath), in which more than 70 volunteeers aged 12-25 years took up various services. There will be other dance performances besides Harinam Sankirtan. A team of 150 devotees from Varanasi is also expected to participate in the festivities. Another highlight of the Rath Yatra will be the offering of 1008 types of bhoga from devotees of different states of India. "Iskcon is organising the yatra on the 29th, instead of the 27th, as it being a Sunday, we wish to give more and more people the opportunity to get the blessings," explained Das.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Single-use plastic items banned, ID cards must for vendors at Rath Mela this year
1 2 Ranchi: Deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri on Friday asked district officials to ensure a complete ban on the use of single use plastic items and thermocol products during the Jagannathpur Rath Mela in Dhurwa, scheduled to begin on June 27. Chief minister Hemant Soren, governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and other VIPs are expected to attend. Notably, manufacture, sale and use of single-use plastics is banned in Jharkhand since 2017. Vendors will be allowed to use only biodegradable materials like leaf plates, bamboo containers, and earthen utensils. Enforcement teams will conduct routine checks and can impose fines or shut stalls for violations. To strengthen safety, watch towers and loudspeakers will be installed at five main entry points. CCTV cameras will be placed throughout the mela area and along the Rath Yatra route. Local police stations have been instructed to ensure surveillance and rapid response, while a dedicated police control room will remain functional throughout the event. Bio-toilets will be placed at various points, and deep borewells will be dug to ensure clean drinking water. Temporary electric and generator connections will power stalls and lighting arrangements Over 1,800 stalls and 25 amusement rides will be a part of the week-long fair, organisers said. Sale and consumption of meat at the fair will be banned. Stall operators must procure eco-friendly containers and comply with waste management guidelines. Each stall and volunteer will be issued official identity cards by the mela committee. All amusement ride operators need to furnish valid safety certificates. "No ride will be permitted without safety clearance. Medical teams will be on standby with ambulances on the fair premises. A fire tender will remain stationed at the venue am," Bhajantri said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Rath Yatra rituals commence in Prayagraj
1 2 Prayagraj: The religious rituals for Rath Yatra commenced at Shringverpur Dham with the offering of traditional herbal decoction (kaadha) to Lord Jagannath, currently believed to be unwell, on Thursday. According to ancient tradition, similar to Odisha's famous Puri temple, Lord Jagannath in Shringverpur Dham is said to fall ill for fifteen days after the ceremonial Snan Yatra or divine bath performed on the full moon day of Jyeshtha month of Hindu calendar at the Shri Ram Var Vishram Ashram. Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Subhadra and Balabhadra, was brought out of the sanctum sanctorum for a grand ritual bathing after which he is believed to fall ill and goes for rest for fifteen days, called as a period of rest or Anasara. On Thursday, Mahant Peethadheeshwar of Shringverpur Dham, Ram Prasad Das Shastri Maharaj offered a traditional herbal decoction (kaadha) to the deity. He then placed Lord Jagannath in a resting state with proper rituals, offered him special garments, performed his aarti, and began dedicated service for his recovery. The tradition has been followed by both, the Shri Tulsi Sahitya Prachar Samiti and the Shringverpur Teerth Kshetra Trust, this year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless medalmerit Learn More Undo According to Mahant Ram Prasad Das Shastri, after the divine rest period, Lord Jagannath will reappear for public darshan on the Dwitiya tithi of Shukla Paksha in Ashadha month of Hindu calendar. On July 27, a Rath Yatra will be taken out when Lord Jagannath will come out of his resting chamber and ride a chariot to visit his Mausi (aunt) at Gudicha Mandir. The procession will start from Shri Ram Var Vishram Ashram and conclude at Shri Ram Sandhya Math near Shri Ram Ghat. The event is being organised jointly by the Shri Tulsi Sahitya Prachar Samiti and the Shringverpur Teerth Kshetra Trust.
