Anup Jalota Launches Jagannatha App Ahead of Bandra West Rath Utsav
Renowned bhajan singer Anup Jalota has launched the 'JAGANNATHA' mobile application and the official website of the Shree Jagannatha Balabhadra Subhadra Charitable Trust ahead of the upcoming Rath Utsav in Mumbai. The 12-day festival, which begins on July 16, will feature a major 21-kilometre Rath Yatra ending at Patwardhan Park in Bandra West, where a special Gundicha Temple will be established.
The newly launched digital platforms aim to connect devotees worldwide, allowing those who cannot attend the festival in person to participate virtually. Through the official website, www.shreejbstrust.org, and the mobile application, devotees can register as Founder Sevaks and make online donations for any of the 11 sacred sevas.
According to the Trust, individuals who sponsor a seva can have a personalized puja performed in their name and gotra during the Rath Yatra at the Gundicha Temple in Bandra West. The organisers will subsequently share a video recording of the designated puja with the devotees via WhatsApp, enabling virtual participation from anywhere in the world.
Organisers stated that the JAGANNATHA app was developed to promote the culture and traditions of Lord Jagannatha globally. The application offers users convenient access to spiritual activities, traditional rituals, festival schedules, and regular updates on the 12-day event.
The Rath Utsav will commence on July 16 with the 21-km Rath Yatra starting from Tapovan Mandir in Malad East and concluding at Patwardhan Park. The festival schedule includes a Bhajan Sandhya by Padma Shri Anup Jalota on July 17, and a theatrical production titled Bhagwaan Jagannath Katha on July 19. Devotees can also partake in daily Maha Prasadam and cultural programmes throughout the event.
The celebrations will continue with the Maha Narasingha Yagya and Suna Besha on July 25, before concluding with the sacred Niladri Bije ceremony on July 27.
Shree Jagannatha Neelmadhav Dasa (Dhananjay Kapoor), Managing Trustee of the Shree Jagannatha Balabhadra Subhadra Charitable Trust, invited devotees to join the festival. He noted that the chariots of Jagannatha do not move on their own, but rather when the devotees come together, adding that the blessings of Param Brahma will make this Rath Utsav one of Mumbai's most significant spiritual and cultural celebrations.
