The West Bengal government’s decision to impose restrictions on public participation during the first-ever Rath Yatra in Digha has drawn mixed reactions from thousands of devotees who gathered in the coastal town to witness the grand procession from the newly inaugurated Jagannath Dham temple.
🚧 Barricades and Rope Access: A New Format
To prevent overcrowding and ensure safety, authorities barricaded the one-kilometre-long procession route, allowing devotees to touch ropes placed alongside the barricades instead of pulling the chariots directly. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is overseeing the event, emphasized that the arrangement was made to avoid chaos and stampede-like situations.
“There will be ropes adjacent to the barricades, which they will be able to touch while staying inside the guardrails,” Banerjee stated.
🙏 Devotees Divided Over Restrictions
While some pilgrims appreciated the safety-first approach, others expressed disappointment:
- Nayan Mondal from Uttar Dinajpur said, “Touching a rope beside bamboo scaffolding isn’t the same as pulling the chariot. Rath Yatra has always been more participatory.”
- Raju Das from Nadia echoed similar sentiments, urging authorities to provide better ‘darshan’ facilities in future editions
- On the other hand, Bappa Sarkar from Konnagar praised the administration: “The ropes are connected to the chariot. We feel involved, and the arrangements are necessary for such a large crowd”
🛕 Cultural Significance and Controversy
The Jagannath Dham temple, modeled after the Puri Jagannath Temple, has already stirred political controversy and faced opposition from Puri temple servitors since its inauguration in April. Despite this, the temple has drawn massive footfall, with many devotees willing to compromise on proximity for the sake of being part of a historic event.
📌 Why It Matters
- Marks the first Rath Yatra from Digha’s Jagannath Dham, a state-sponsored cultural initiative
- Highlights the balancing act between tradition and crowd management
- Sets a precedent for future religious events in high-footfall tourist zones
🔁 Share this article to explore how faith, safety, and sentiment intersected at Digha’s debut Rath Yatra.
