A Blissful Journey: NTPC Talcher-Kaniha Township Echoes with Chants of Jagannath Rath Yatra
Bureau,Odishabarta
NTPC Talcher-Kaniha successfully organized a grand Rath Yatra in its Deepsikha township on 16th July 2026. Braving the rain, thousands of devotees from nearby areas gathered to catch a divine glimpse of their beloved Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
Earlier in the day, at around 10:30 AM, the traditional Pahandi procession was held, during which the deities were ceremonially brought out of the temple to board the chariot. The chariot-pulling ceremony (Rath Tana) commenced at around 4:30 PM from the Main Temple premises, following the traditional Chhera Panhara ceremony, which was performed by Shri Ajay Singh Yadav, Head of Project (Talcher-Kaniha).
As the procession advanced, enthusiastic devotees joined in pulling the chariot while chanting the Lord’s name, filling the entire atmosphere with devotion and spiritual fervour.
The Rath reached the Shri Gundicha (Mausima) Temple, where devotees were offered prasadam. The procession was followed by a devotional programme (Bhajan Sandhya) in the evening, which attracted a large gathering of devotees and continued late into the night.
Beyond the spiritual ceremonies of the ongoing festival, NTPC Kaniha is hosting around 60 vibrant stalls, providing a dynamic platform for local culture and commerce, which will continue till Bahuda Yatra on 24th July 2026. Through this initiative, visitors can explore a wide range of products, including traditional Sambalpuri sarees, readymade garments, handwoven carpets, furniture, and artisanal home décor. NTPC Kaniha has also provided a dedicated space within the campus for local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to showcase and sell premium organic spices sourced directly from the Kandhamal region. Several other local vendors are also utilizing this platform to market unique regional specialties, including homemade pickles (achhar), savoury mixtures, brass decorative items, ceramic products, and handcrafted tendu-leaf incense sticks (agarbatti).
The NTPC family and the Rath Yatra Committee extended their heartfelt gratitude to the committee members, Ladies Club, employees, participating families, CISF personnel, township security staff, servitors, volunteers, and everyone whose dedicated efforts ensured the smooth, safe, and successful conduct of the Yatra.
