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Time Business News
9 hours ago
- Time Business News
Rath Yatra: Celebrating the Divine Journey Across the World
The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is one of the most vibrant and grand celebrations in India and beyond. It is a time of spiritual devotion, community bonding, and cultural richness. While the festival originates in Puri, Odisha, it has spread globally, with several cities hosting their own Rath Yatra celebrations. This article explores some of the most famous Rath Yatra 2025 festivals and their significance. 1. Puri, Odisha: The Heart of Rath Yatra The Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, is the grandest and most renowned, deeply rooted in history and culture. The festival occurs annually at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The Rituals The procession features the deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra placed on massive, intricately decorated chariots. The chariots are drawn through the streets of Puri by thousands of devotees, who chant prayers and sing devotional songs. The festival symbolizes the journey of Lord Jagannath from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. The Puri Rath Yatra has been celebrated for centuries, dating back to the 12th century during the reign of King Anantavarman Chodaganga. It attracts millions of visitors worldwide, making it one of the largest religious gatherings globally. The spiritual energy and sense of unity among the devotees make this celebration a life-changing experience. 2. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: A Grand Celebration in the Heart of the West The Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is another large-scale celebration, second only to the one in Puri. This grand event takes place in the city's Swaminarayan Temple, one of the most significant pilgrimage sites for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition. The Rituals The Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is marked by the procession of the Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra chariots through the city's bustling streets. The festival is known for its grandeur, with large crowds of devotees pulling the chariots, singing devotional hymns, and chanting the names of the gods. The event also features cultural performances, exhibitions, and charitable acts, making it an all-encompassing spiritual and cultural experience. 3. Fremont, California: The American Rath Yatra The Rath Yatra in Fremont, California, hosted by the ISKCON temple, is one of the most famous Rath Yatras in the United States. The city's large Hindu community ensures that the celebrations are enthusiastic, attracting thousands of devotees and tourists alike. The Rituals This Rath Yatra is known for its vibrant procession, where the deities are carried on elaborately decorated chariots. Devotees pull the chariots through the streets with music, dance, and chanting that fills the air with spiritual fervour. The Fremont Rath Yatra also features a grand cultural program with devotional songs, bhajans, and prasad distribution. This event offers a unique experience for both participants and spectators, providing a connection to India's rich spiritual heritage. 4. New York City: A Global Celebration in the Big Apple In New York City, the Rath Yatra is one of the year's most anticipated events, attracting devotees from across the globe. Organized by ISKCON, the procession moves through the streets of Manhattan, making its way to Washington Square Park. The Rituals The New York Rath Yatra is known for its festive spirit, with devoted worshippers pulling chariots through the streets of New York. The event features cultural performances, including traditional Indian dances, music, and devotional songs. The celebration also includes free prasad (food offerings) for all attendees, a highlight for many. The Rath Yatra in New York is not just a religious event; it's a celebration of the city's diversity and the fusion of global cultures. It showcases the importance of devotion, unity, and love for the divine. 5. London, United Kingdom: Rath Yatra in the Heart of Europe The Rath Yatra in London, organized by ISKCON, is one of Europe's largest and most popular Rath Yatras. The procession takes place in central London, making it an iconic event that attracts thousands of people from various cultures. The Rituals The chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are pulled through the vibrant streets of London, with devotees chanting, singing, and dancing along the way. The event features a spiritual program, including lectures on the teachings of Lord Krishna, live music, and performances from Indian classical dancers. The Rath Yatra in London also emphasizes community service, with efforts to promote peace, unity, and well-being. 6. Kolkata, West Bengal: A Celebration of Culture and Devotion The Rath Yatra in Kolkata is one of the most significant celebrations in eastern India. The city's ISKCON temple hosts this grand event, where devotees gather to pull Lord Jagannath's and his siblings' chariots. The Rituals The Kolkata Rath Yatra's colourful procession winds through the city streets. The chariots are adorned with flowers and decorations, while devotees sing kirtans and bhajans in honour of the deities. The procession is a visual spectacle, bringing the city to life with a powerful display of devotion and faith. Conclusion: Rath Yatra – A Global Celebration of Unity and Devotion The Rath Yatra is more than a festival; it symbolizes devotion, unity, and spiritual connection. From the streets of Puri to the vibrant celebrations in New York and London, the Rath Yatra transcends geographical boundaries, uniting people from different cultures and backgrounds to celebrate Lord Jagannath. Whether in India(Bharatvarsha) or abroad, this grand festival inspires millions of devotees, offering a glimpse into India's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. So, if you ever have the opportunity, don't miss witnessing this spectacular event in the holy land of Puri or your city! TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
2025 Osaka Expo: Akita Pref.'s Omagari Fireworks to be on Display on June 28
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo Pyrotechnic artwork launched during last year's Omagari Fireworks Festival in Daisen, Akita Prefecture. AKITA — Pyrotechnic artworks from the famous Omagari Fireworks Festival in Daisen, Akita Prefecture, will illuminate the night sky over the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo venue on June 28. This will mark the first time that the pyrotechnicians behind one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals will travel to the Kansai region to set off fireworks. 'We want to show people from Japan and abroad the beauty of fireworks,' fireworks specialist Tadanobu Komatsu, 61, said. They will display fireworks as part of the Japan Fireworks Expo, where pyrotechnicians from all over the country will gather to showcase their work at the Kansai Expo. The Omagari Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the organizer of the local fireworks festival, was approached last October about participating in the Expo event. Komatsu and his colleagues readily agreed, calling it 'an honor to shoot off fireworks at the Expo.' Held every August, the Omagari Fireworks Festival attracts 100,000 spectators and involves 28 fireworks companies from Daisen and other regions in Japan. Each display is scored, and the participating companies rotate every five years based on their rankings. Last year, Komatsu Fireworks Co., headed by Komatsu, won the Prime Minister's Prize, the highest honor. 'It's a competition where the best pyrotechnics are brought together, and that's why fireworks at Omagari festival are considered the pinnacle of the art,' Komatsu said. On June 28, the Omagari Hanabi Design Team, comprising of Komatsu Fireworks and three other fireworks companies from Daisen, will shoot off fireworks from the southern embankment of Yumeshima Island in Osaka's Konohana Ward. The team will showcase about 800 fireworks, including the most difficult 'goeshin' firework which consists of six layers of concentric circles spread evenly; 'happosaki,' which shoots light rays in various colors in a circular pattern from the center; and 'senringiku,' which explodes with a countless number of small bursts. Komatsu went to Yumeshima in advance to confirm the launch positions. 'The fireworks of Omagari are still not well known in western Japan. We want to put on a show that will make people want to visit Omagari,' he said. Fireworks at Expo The Japan Fireworks Expo will feature eight fireworks displays during the 2025 Expo. Two displays have been held so far: the Ise Shrine Dedication National Fireworks Display from Mie Prefecture on April 26 and the Futaba Fireworks from Fukushima Prefecture on May 31. The Ise display attracted 104,803 people, and the Futaba display brought a record 169,923, leading the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition to limit the number of spectators allowed to ascend the venue's Grand Roof (Ring) for viewing. The Omagari fireworks display on June 28 is also expected to draw large crowds, so the association will dispatch more security personnel than usual to control the crowds during the event. The June 28 display will be followed by the other famous displays on July 21, Aug. 23, Sep. 27 and Oct. 8, though details have not yet been announced. Fireworks from various regions will be launched jointly on July 23.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Illegal street takeover shuts down busy intersection with dangerous stunts, fireworks: police
Police are investigating what they say was an illegal street takeover that blocked a busy intersection over the weekend with dangerous stunts and multiple fireworks in Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania. Multiple cars were caught on video "spinning uncontrollably throughout the intersection" as some passengers hung outside the vehicles before fleeing from the police on Sunday evening. "At approximately 8:03 p.m., the Plymouth Township Police Department received numerous calls regarding street racing in the middle of the intersection," the police said in a press release on Tuesday. Several vehicles recklessly drove donuts in the middle of the road as a large crowd of spectators approached the intersection, police added. Woman Arrested For Driving Into Festival Crowd Hours After Explosion Rocked Same Event Pennsylvania Cop Shot By Gunman Involved In Car Crash, Officials Say Read On The Fox News App "Surveillance in the area revealed numerous pedestrians circling the intersection, participant vehicles blocking the motoring public, fireworks being ignited in the intersection, and several vehicles spinning uncontrollably throughout the intersection: some with passengers hanging out of the vehicle." the department added. Truck Strikes Pedestrians In Downtown Boston, Police Say Approximately 50 to 100 people, including the passengers involved, witnessed the event but fled before law enforcement arrived, according to the police. "None of the operators of the vehicles, nor any of the civilian spectators were contacted by the police," the department said, adding that they are seeking help from the public in identifying those involved in the car meet-up. Detectives are reviewing surveillance images from the surrounding area and are working with regional law enforcement partners in the article source: Illegal street takeover shuts down busy intersection with dangerous stunts, fireworks: police
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
Illegal street takeover shuts down busy intersection with dangerous stunts, fireworks: police
Police are investigating what they say was an illegal street takeover that blocked a busy intersection over the weekend with dangerous stunts and multiple fireworks in Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania. Multiple cars were caught on video "spinning uncontrollably throughout the intersection" as some passengers hung outside the vehicles before fleeing from the police on Sunday evening. "At approximately 8:03 p.m., the Plymouth Township Police Department received numerous calls regarding street racing in the middle of the intersection," the police said in a press release on Tuesday. Several vehicles recklessly drove donuts in the middle of the road as a large crowd of spectators approached the intersection, police added. "Surveillance in the area revealed numerous pedestrians circling the intersection, participant vehicles blocking the motoring public, fireworks being ignited in the intersection, and several vehicles spinning uncontrollably throughout the intersection: some with passengers hanging out of the vehicle." the department added. Approximately 50 to 100 people, including the passengers involved, witnessed the event but fled before law enforcement arrived, according to the police. "None of the operators of the vehicles, nor any of the civilian spectators were contacted by the police," the department said, adding that they are seeking help from the public in identifying those involved in the car meet-up. Detectives are reviewing surveillance images from the surrounding area and are working with regional law enforcement partners in the investigation.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
War-weary Syrians and Lebanese watch from the sidelines as missiles fly in Israel-Iran conflict
DAMASCUS, Syria — In a park overlooking Damascus, 25-year-old Khaldoun Hallak has spent the past few evenings with his friends, drinking yerba mate, snacking on nuts, smoking hookah pipes and watching the sky for missiles streaking overhead . 'We've been through 14 years of war , and this is the first time Syria has nothing to do with it and we're just spectators,' Hallak said.
