New Delhi/Puri, Jul 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended warm greetings to the nation on the occasion of the Jagannath Rath Yatra, describing the grand festival as a "radiant expression" of India's timeless spiritual and cultural heritage.

In a message shared on X, the Prime Minister said the centuries-old traditions associated with Rath Yatra have inspired generations across India and the world, reflecting the values of humility, collective participation, and selfless service.

"Greetings to everyone on the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra. This is a radiant expression of India's timeless spiritual and cultural heritage. The traditions associated with the Rath Yatra have inspired generations across India and the world. They embody humility, collective participation and selfless service," PM Modi wrote.

He also prayed for the well-being of all devotees, saying, "May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless everyone with good health, happiness and prosperity. May He give us strength for all our endeavours and deepen the spirit of togetherness in our society. Jai Jagannath!"

The Prime Minister's message came as the world-renowned Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced in Puri, Odisha, with lakhs of devotees gathering to witness the majestic procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.

The annual festival is one of India's largest and most revered religious events. It is the only occasion when the sibling deities leave the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple and travel to the Gundicha Temple, allowing millions of devotees from all backgrounds to have their darshan.

During the grand procession, the three deities are ceremonially placed on beautifully decorated wooden chariots and pulled by thousands of devotees amid devotional chants and spiritual fervour. The yatra symbolizes Lord Jagannath's divine compassion and his journey among the people, transcending social and cultural barriers.

Meanwhile, Gujarat also witnessed its annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad. The nearly 400-year-old procession began from the historic Shree Jagannathji Mandir in Jamalpur and passed through various parts of the city before returning to the temple. Regarded as the second-largest Jagannath Rath Yatra in the country after Puri, the Ahmedabad procession attracts lakhs of devotees every year.