CM to inaugurate ISKCON Kolkata Rath Yatra

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has announced that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will inaugurate the Kolkata Rath Yatra by pulling the ceremonial chariot rope, marking his first participation in the annual festival since the change of government in West Bengal.

Addressing a Press conference ahead of the festival, ISKCON functionaries said the Chief Minister will attend the Rath Yatra on 16 July as the chief guest and is scheduled to reach the venue at around 11.45 a.m. He will offer prayers before the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and perform the traditional ritual of pulling the chariot rope to formally commence the procession.

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The organisers said the Rath Yatra will begin from south Kolkata and traverse several major thoroughfares before culminating at the Maidan, where the deities will remain at the traditional “Aunt’s House” (Mausi Bari) until the return journey during Ulta Rath. The participation of Mr Adhikari assumes significance as it will be the first Rath Yatra after the political change in the state.

ISKCON also said it plans to invite Union home minister Amit Shah to attend the celebrations. Organisers noted that Mr Shah is expected to be in Kolkata during the Rath Yatra period, and a formal invitation is likely to be extended to him.

The announcement was made by ISKCON representatives, including president Dayaram Das, vice-president Ballabh Chaitanya Das, Kolkata Rath Yatra Committee chairman Ananga Mohan Das and ISKCON Kolkata secretary Ananta Bhagavan Das. The organisers expressed confidence that this year’s festival would witness a record turnout. According to ISKCON, nearly three million devotees attended the celebrations from Rath Yatra to Ulta Rath last year, and the figure is expected to be surpassed this year.

Devotees from several countries, including China, Russia, Ukraine, the United States and Australia, are expected to participate in the festival, reflecting the growing international appeal of Kolkata’s Rath Yatra. Extensive arrangements are being made to manage the expected influx of pilgrims and visitors, with the organisers coordinating with the civic authorities and law enforcement agencies to ensure smooth conduct of one of the city’s largest annual religious events.