Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived in Digha, in the Purba Medinipur district on Wednesday to oversee preparations for the first-ever Rath Yatra at the newly built Jagannath temple in the seaside town. The Chief Minister is set to inaugurate the grand procession on Friday by ceremonially sweeping the road with a golden broom and pulling the rope of the chariot.
CM Banerjee had initially planned to travel from Dumarjala helipad by air, but inclement weather forced a last-minute change and she travelled by road instead. During her journey through Purba Medinipur, Mamata Banerjee made several unscheduled stops. She met the local residents at Kanthi and interacted with Trinamool Congress workers near the Kanthi 3 Panchayat Samiti and also at the bus stand. She also visited Marishda police station, where she spoke with officers, and briefly joined a procession at Ramnagar with local MLA Akhil Giri.
The upcoming Rath Yatra holds immense cultural and spiritual significance, marking the first celebration since the temple’s inauguration. The chariot procession will cover roughly one kilometre, from the new Jagannath temple to the old shrine and authorities expect between 2 to 2.5 lakh devotees to participate in the event.
CM Banerjee, meanwhile, has instructed the police, the fire department, and public officials to coordinate closely. According to sources in Nabanna, the chief minister’s visit was specifically to review implementation of her directions. Her arrival prompted a heightened alert across Digha, with large wooden barricades erected on both sides of the road from Old Digha to New Digha station, and traffic movement being carefully controlled.
Expressing her pride and optimism ahead of the historic event, Mamata Banerjee in a Facebook post wrote, “It is a matter of immense pride that Jagannath Dham in Digha, the sacred abode of Lord Jagannath, has already begun to bring joy to countless devotees, while simultaneously revitalising the local economy and transforming Digha into a year-round destination for pilgrims and tourists alike.”
Highlighting her personal involvement, she added, “As we prepare for the first-ever Rath Yatra to be held on the shores of Digha, the anticipation among the people is truly palpable. I have personally arrived here in advance to oversee the final arrangements and to see to it that every aspect, be it security, crowd management, or emergency preparedness, is in place to make this a safe, smooth, and soul-stirring experience for all. Our state administration has worked tirelessly to ensure this celebration reflects the dignity that befits the Lord of the Universe.”
“Bengal is the land of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Maa Sarada, Swami Vivekananda and so many others. Ours is a land that believes in compassion, inclusivity, and the unity of all being. With Lord Jagannath’s blessings, we shall continue to move forward, towards progress, peace, and prosperity for all. Joy Jagannath. Joy Bangla,” she wrote further.