Puri: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced on Monday that the newly-elected government’s main priority is to successfully conduct the 'car festival' in Odisha. He mentioned that this year, the Rath Yatra and Netrotsav festivals will occur on the same day.
"Our main focus right now is ensuring the 'car festival' takes place properly. Rath Yatra and the Netrotsav will be on the same day... We are working on this with God's blessings," Harichandan told media.
The famous festival, typically celebrated in June-July, begins when Lord Jagannath and his siblings, elder brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra, are presented to the public in chariots and visit Gundicha Temple. This year, the Rath Yatra will be held on July 7.
During the festival, the deities stay for nine days at Gundicha Temple. Lakhs of devotees will pull the three majestic chariots parked in front of the Singha Dwar of Jagannath Temple, facing east towards Gundicha Temple.
Last week, newly appointed Odisha minister Prithiviraj Harichandan visited the famous Shaktipitha, Maa Bhagabati Temple in Banpur, Khordha district. During his visit, he emphasized that the government’s focus will be on the state’s development, aiming for a 'Viksit Odisha' by 2036.
The newly elected BJP government in Odisha was sworn in on June 12, with Mohan Charan Majhi taking oath as the Chief Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event. Following the swearing-in, CM Majhi allocated portfolios to his ministers.
CM Majhi retained the Home Ministry, General Administration and Public Grievances, Information and Public Relations, Water Resources, and Planning and Convergence portfolios. His deputy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Dev, was allocated the Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment and Energy Departments. Pravati Parida, the first woman deputy CM of Odisha, was given the Tourism Ministry and also oversees the Mission Shakti and Women and Child Development ministries.
This marks the first BJP government in Odisha following its impressive performance in the recent assembly polls, which ended the 24-year reign of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
