The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has wished the people on the auspicious occasion of Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra.

Following is the full text of the Vice President's message-

"I convey my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra. 

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is the most revered and much awaited festival of Odisha. Rath Yatra depicts the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, who is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. 

The splendour and grandeur of the festival of Rath Yatra and the magnificence of the 'Rathas' or the chariots, is truly unparalleled. 

As India and the world continue to fight a relentless battle against the spread of COVID-19, we have resorted to celebrating almost all of our traditional festivals at home. Under these circumstances, we have to be content with a modest celebration this year.

May the pious and noble ideals associated with Rath Yatra enrich our lives with peace and harmony.

The Vice President's message on Rath Yatra in Hindi -

"भगवान श्री जगन्नाथ की रथ यात्रा के पावन अवसर पर देशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं देता हूं। विशेषकर ओडिशा के निवासी जगन्नाथ पुरी की विश्व विख्यात रथयात्रा की वर्ष पर्यन्त बेसब्री से प्रतीक्षा करते हैं। रथयात्रा, भगवान विष्णु के अवतार श्री जगन्नाथ जी की वार्षिक यात्रा का अवसर होता है। इस आयोजन में रथयात्रा के उत्सव की भव्यता और रथों की दिव्यता, सचमुच कल्पनातीत होती है।

आज जब भारत और विश्व कोविड 19 महामारी से जूझ रहा है, हम अपने सभी पारंपरिक उत्सव घर में ही रह कर अपने स्वजनों के साथ ही मना रहे हैं। इन विषम परिस्थितियों में, इस वर्ष हमें अपने आयोजन को सीमित रखना होगा।

फिर भी रथ यात्रा से जुड़ी पवित्रता और आस्था हमारे जीवन को शांति, सौहार्द और खुशहाली से समृद्ध करेगी।"

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