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Folowing was extracted from Yatra of harmony
The original Jagannath rath yatra is different
By Samanwaya, The Indian Express, July 5th, 2002
- The origin of the yatra, held during the Ashadh month of the lunar calendar, is shrouded in mystery as much as the Jagannath cult that holds sway in much of the east. It marks the day the Rig Veda, the oldest Veda, was revealed. It possibly has a parallel in the chariot procession of the Buddha’s tooth at Dantapuri (old Puri). Another school says it signifies Krishna’s travel from Gokul to Mathura. But what’s clear is that it was started to allow lower castes, not allowed to enter the temple (prior to independence), to have a darshan.
- Its secular character owes much to the Jagannath cult as to the liberal views of the state’s medieval rulers. Before the Orissa kings chanced upon Lord Jagannath, he was worshipped in the jungles by the tribal Gonds.
- Reformers such as Nanak and Kabir, who also has a math dedicated to him in Puri, Ramanuja, Shankaracharya and Chaitanya did much to elevate the status of the Jagannath cult and increase its cross-cultural appeal. A pity, therefore, that the VHP should choose to use this symbol to spread disharmony all around.
Jagannanth Rath Yatra in the News
Rath yatra over, Muslims heave sigh of relief
Shefali Nautiyal, The Indian Express, July 13, 2002
Ahmedabad, July 12: For days, even the thought of the rath yatra sent shivers down their spine. Now that it has passed off peacefully, hundreds of Muslims residing in Dariapur and Shahpur — from where the rath yatra was to pass — are heaving a sigh of relief.
Gujarat tense after rath yatra-related riots
Times News Network, July 13, 2002
KHEDA\PETLAD: While peace prevailed in the entire state, it was central Gujarat that witnessed communal flare-ups on the day of the Jagannath rath yatra. Both Kheda and Petlad towns witnessed pitched battles between two communities on Friday night and the situation was tense even on Saturday as curfew continued in Kheda.
Gujarat rath yatra ends peacefully
Times News Network, July 12, 2002
AHMEDABAD: The 125th annual rath yatra of Lord Jagannath ended peacefully in Ahmedabad on Friday evening. It was a triumph of peace amid unprecedented stringent security arrangements and even though the crowds accompanying the chariots were less this year in view of the security concerns, the event was not lacking in its religious fervour.
Tight security for rath yatra
By Manas Dasgupta, The Hindu, July 12, 2002
AHMEDABAD JULY 11. In view of the Jagannath rath yatra tomorrow, the walled city areas here have virtually been taken over by police. Khaki-clad men and women are seen everywhere — on the roads, at the bus stops and even on rooftops, guarding the traditional route of the annual yatra.
We are watching!
Why Jagannath Yatra causes anxiety
Editorial, The Statesman, July 12, 2002
The Government of Gujarat are on notice. The Jagannath Yatra is held on a fixed day in Puri and also elsewhere where a Jagannath temple exists as in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. However, Chief Minister Narendra Modi wanted a yatra all his own in addition, which could only have been for political purposes although laced with religious overtones. Fortunately better sense prevailed and Modi’s political yatra, to be flagged off by LK Advani was cancelled after consultations between the prime minister and his deputy.
Commandos to protect chariots during rathyatra
PTI, July 11, 2002
AHMEDABAD: The rathyatra began on Friday morning from Jagannath temple amid tight security. Commandos have been deployed to protect the chariots and bomb disposal squads are keeping a tight vigil to ensure that the yatra passes off peacefully.
Clergy tell Muslims to stay indoors during yatra
Times News Network, July 11, 2002
AHMEDABAD: It's with an air of cocky confidence that the police are approaching the bandobast for the Rathyatra in a city on tenterhooks. But the Muslim clergy don't seem as sure.
Ahmedabad residents hold breath for today’s rath yatra
Mukta Chakravorty, The Indian Express, July 11, 2002
Ahmedabad, July 11: Ahmedabad was wrapped in uncertainty and apprehension as arrangements were put in place for the annual rath yatra beginning Friday.
Tight security for rath yatra
By Manas Dasgupta, The Hindu, July 12, 2002
AHMEDABAD JULY 11. In view of the Jagannath rath yatra tomorrow, the walled city areas here have virtually been taken over by police. Khaki-clad men and women are seen everywhere — on the roads, at the bus stops and even on rooftops, guarding the traditional route of the annual yatra.
Rathyatra sends them packing
Mukta Chakravorty, The Indian Express, July 11, 2002
Ahmedabad, July 10: WITH just a day to go for the Rathyatra, it’s pack up time for residents of the sensitive Dariapur and Shahpur areas. Fearing violence on July 12, many have locked up their homes and moved out, bag and baggage. Others are all set to follow suit.
Vadodara Muslims call for curfew during yatra
Times News Network, July 10, 2002
VADODARA: In a major initiative to ensure peace during the Jagannath Rathyatra in the city, leaders of the minority community here have agreed to observe 'janta curfew' in sensitive areas of the city. Friday's 'namaz' in the afternoon will also be held about half-an-hour before its scheduled time.
Vadodara Rathyatra to stick to traditional route
Times News Network, July 09, 2002
VADODARA: The Jagannath Rathyatra, otherwise a low-key event in Vadodara, has this time become a cause of concern for the city police with organisers insisting that they would stick to the traditional route. The city police had been trying to convince the organisers to change the route as it passes through some sensitive areas.
Police rope in school staff to ensure peace during yatra
The Times of India, July 08, 2002
VADODARA: With brawls among school students taking the shape of communal riots, the district police is now roping in school functionaries to ensure peace in the region. The administration has now decided to crack down on any mischief on educational campuses.
Heavy security in Surat for Rathyatra
The Times of India, July 08, 2002
SURAT: Though the city remained largely peaceful during the recent communal riots in the state, the city police here are taking no chances and have geared up to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the Rathyatra on Friday.
Rathyatra procession cut down to one-third
Times News Network, July 08, 2002
AHMEDABAD: The length of the procession for the 125th annual Rathyatra scheduled on Friday has been cut down to one-third of the usual, owing to security reasons. The procession is now expected to wind up before sundown, trustees of the Shree Jagannathji Mandir trust told newspersons on Monday.
Rathyatra: bandobast begins on war footing
Stavan Desai, The Indian Express, July 7, 2002
Ahmedabad, July 5: FOR the first time in several years, city police has sought the help of Indian Air Force (IAF) to provide a helicopter for aerial surveillance during the Rathyatra on July 12. Not taking any chances, police has also requested the Centre to alert the Army to be on standby. This is part of the unprecedented security arrangements being made for the 125th Rathyatra that will roll out from Jamalpur and pass through communally sensitive areas of Shahpur and Dariapur.
After homes, yatra hits Ahmedabad trade
Mukta Chakravorty, The Indian Express, July 6, 2002
Ahmedabad, July 5: It's not only those who live along th e yatra route who have shifted out. Even traders and businessmen, who operate from Shahpur and Dariapur, have begun vacating their shops fearing trouble during the yatra.
Residents along Rathyatra route living on the edge
Ruchir Chandorkar, Times News Network, July 06, 2002
AHMEDABAD: All seems quiet when you journey down the tentative route that the Rathyatra would take on July 12. But scratch the surface and people express their misgivings about it and the possibility of violence in a city that recorded 500 deaths in March-April.
Muslims desert homes as Jagannath rath yatra nears
By Manas Dasgupta, The Hindu, July 6, 2002
AHMEDABAD July 5 . Wasim Khan, who is working with a non-government organisation in a riot relief camp here, has sent his family to some relatives' house in Karnataka. Nazir has already sent his children to Anand and now plans to shift his wife and other women there.
Shopkeepers take cue from residents, move out ahead of rathyatra
Mukta Chakravorty, The Indian Express, July 5, 2002
Ahmedabad, July 4: IT’S not only those who live along the rathyatra route who have shifted out. Even traders and businessmen who operate from Shahpur and Dariapur have begun vacating their shops fearing trouble during the yatra.
Yatra of harmony
The original Jagannath rath yatra is different
Samanwaya, The Indian Express, July 5, 2002
In riot-hit Ahmedabad, rath yatras have become a cause of discord. The Jagannath Temple Trust had at first turned down pleas to change its route — citing tradition — although they later agreed to scale it down.
What riot, he’s busy making Lord’s garland
Mukta Chakravorty, The Indian Express, July 4, 2002
Ahmedabad, July 3: It's a tradition that not even the communal tension over the past four months has been able to stop. For the coming Jagannath rath yatra on July 12, Muslim workers of Jamalpur have been busy making garlands of resham (silk) and moti (pearls).
Jain Muni says will ensure peaceful Rathyatra
Times News Network, July 02, 2002
AHMEDABAD: Jain Acharya Mahapragyaji, who is in Ahmedabad in the course of his 4000 km-long Ahimsa Yatra, has undertaken the initiative to ensure peaceful conduct of Rathyatra in the city on July 12.
Jagannath Rathyatra to be taken out as per schedule
PTI , JULY 02, 2002
AHMEDABAD: The annual Rathyatra from the historic Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area of the city would be taken out as per schedule on July 12.
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