The highlight of the event was a flower-decorated chariot carrying the deities, while devotees enthusiastically pulled the ropes amid continuous chanting of “Hare Krishna Hare Rama” and the sounds of traditional drums, cymbals and devotional music.

The procession began near Brihaspati Bazaar at around 4 pm after priests performed special rituals and prayers. Following the ceremonial worship, the deities were placed on the chariot and devotees raised slogans of “Jai Jagannath” before commencing the journey.

The Rath Yatra travelled through several prominent parts of the city, including Sadar Bazaar, Gol Bazaar, Telipara, Purana Bus Stand Chowk, Agrasen Chowk, Satyam Chowk and Konher Garden before returning to Brihaspati Bazaar late in the evening.

The nearly five-kilometre procession continued for around six hours and witnessed participation from hundreds of devotees, many of whom walked alongside the chariot throughout the route. Groups performing kirtan accompanied the procession, creating a vibrant spiritual atmosphere that drew the attention of residents and shopkeepers along the way.

Devotees danced to devotional songs while chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, transforming the city streets into a festive spiritual gathering. Children, elderly citizens and families were also seen participating in large numbers.

The procession received a warm welcome at several locations across Bilaspur. Community organisations, local residents and traders arranged refreshment counters and devotional offerings for participants.

At Sadar Bazaar, volunteers distributed drinking water and cold beverages to devotees. In Telipara, prasad and boondi were offered, while similar arrangements were made at Purana Bus Stand Road, Agrasen Chowk and other points along the route.

One of the most visually striking moments came when the procession reached the flower market area. Traders showered flower petals on the chariot and devotees as a mark of reverence and sought blessings from Lord Jagannath and the accompanying deities.

Fireworks were also organised at select locations during the procession, adding to the festive mood.

After the Rath Yatra concluded, the deities were welcomed back at the temple premises where a special offering of 56 Bhog (Chhappan Bhog) was presented to Lord Jagannath. The elaborate offering consisted of a variety of traditional food preparations prepared as part of the religious celebrations.

Following the rituals, Mahaprasad was distributed among devotees who had gathered at the temple after the procession.

According to ISKCON members, Rath Yatras organised by ISKCON temples are generally held a few days after the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri. This year's Bilaspur procession was originally scheduled for July 18 but had to be postponed due to heavy rainfall in the region.

The rescheduled event ultimately witnessed a strong turnout, reflecting the growing popularity of the annual festival among devotees in the city.

Religious leaders associated with the temple said the Rath Yatra symbolises Lord Jagannath’s journey among devotees and serves as an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to participate in collective devotion and spiritual celebration.

The successful completion of the procession, coupled with enthusiastic public participation and community support, made this year’s Rath Yatra one of the prominent religious events in Bilaspur’s festive calendar.

Banks will remain closed in Odisha, Uttarakhand and Manipur on Thursday, July 16, on account of regional festivals including Jagannath Rath Yatra and Harela, in accordance with the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) state-wise holiday calendar. However, bank branches across Madhya Pradesh will function as usual, with no banking holiday notified for the state.

The holiday applies only to the states where the festivals are officially observed. Customers in the affected states are advised to plan branch visits accordingly, while digital banking services will continue to remain available.

Holiday for Regional Festivals

The closure has been announced to mark Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of Odisha's most significant religious festivals, and Harela, a traditional festival celebrated primarily in Uttarakhand that marks the beginning of the monsoon and the agricultural season.

Manipur has also been included in the state-wise banking holiday list for the day.

Digital Banking Services Unaffected

Although physical bank branches will remain closed in the affected states, customers will continue to have access to digital banking facilities, including:

• Internet banking

• Mobile banking applications

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

• ATM cash withdrawals

• Debit and credit card transactions

Online fund transfers through NEFT and RTGS will also be available as per the RBI's operational schedule.

Banks Open in Madhya Pradesh

There is no banking holiday in Madhya Pradesh on July 16, and all public sector, private sector and cooperative bank branches are expected to operate according to their normal business hours.

Customers in the state can visit branches for routine banking services, including cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque clearance, account-related services and loan transactions.

Customers Advised to Check Local Holiday List

Bank holidays in India are notified by the Reserve Bank of India and vary from state to state depending on local festivals, public holidays and regional observances. Customers travelling across states are advised to verify the applicable holiday schedule before planning branch visits.

While branch operations may remain suspended in certain states, digital banking platforms ensure uninterrupted access to most banking services throughout the holiday.

Security agencies crack down on alleged terror network operating across Gujarat and MP; investigation into funding and recruitment continues

In a major anti-terror operation ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested eight suspected operatives allegedly linked to the banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The coordinated operation was carried out across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh following intelligence inputs indicating efforts to expand the outfit's network in western India.

According to officials, the arrests were made during simultaneous raids conducted at multiple locations. Investigators believe the accused were actively working to strengthen the organisation's presence by recruiting individuals, circulating extremist material and maintaining contact with handlers linked to the terror outfit.

Among those arrested is Bilal Durrani, who was apprehended from Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh. Police sources said he had allegedly been living in the city's Warsi Nagar area for a considerable period without attracting attention from local authorities.

The remaining accused include Ahmed Abdullah Ghaziwala, Ibrahim Mohammad Hussain Ghagha, Mudassir Abdullah Ghaziwala, Zakariya Durrani, Mufti Fauzan, Mohammad Amin Shera and Mohammad Abdul Rehman Savdi, most of whom belong to Gujarat.

Officials said two of the accused are teenagers aged 18 and 19, while others are between their early twenties and forties. Initial investigations suggest that the suspects were allegedly operating under instructions from Jaish-e-Mohammed handlers and attempting to establish a stronger organisational base in Gujarat.

Digital evidence and alleged funding trail recovered

The ATS has reportedly recovered mobile phones containing alleged extremist literature, videos, audio recordings and handwritten notes. Investigators are examining the digital devices to determine the extent of the alleged network and identify additional contacts.

Officials also suspect the accused received financial support for their activities. Preliminary findings indicate that around ₹3 lakh may have been transferred through suspected terror-funding channels. Authorities are tracing the origin of these transactions to identify possible financiers and foreign connections.

Investigators are also scrutinising communication records, encrypted messaging applications and social media activity as part of the ongoing probe.

Operation launched ahead of Rath Yatra

The arrests assume significance as they were made just days before Gujarat's annual Rath Yatra, one of the state's largest religious processions that attracts thousands of devotees and involves extensive security arrangements every year.

Security agencies routinely intensify surveillance ahead of major public events, and officials said the operation was part of preventive measures aimed at neutralising potential security threats.

Charges under UAPA and BNS

The ATS has registered a case against all eight accused under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), including Sections 13, 17, 18, 38 and 39, which relate to unlawful activities, terror funding, conspiracy and support to terrorist organisations.

Additional charges have also been invoked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

All the accused remain in ATS custody and are being questioned to determine the full extent of the alleged network, recruitment activities, financial transactions and any possible links with handlers operating outside India.

Officials said further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.

In a major counter-terrorism operation conducted just 13 days before the annual Rath Yatra, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested eight suspected operatives allegedly linked to the banned terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The arrests were made during coordinated raids across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh following specific intelligence inputs, officials said.

According to the ATS, the suspects were allegedly attempting to strengthen the terror organisation's network in Gujarat. Multiple ATS teams simultaneously carried out search operations at different locations, leading to the detention of all eight accused. They are currently being interrogated to determine the extent of their alleged involvement and identify any wider network or operational plans.

Officials said the action is part of heightened security measures being implemented ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, one of Gujarat's largest religious processions that attracts thousands of devotees and remains under extensive security surveillance every year.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Ahmed Abdullah Gajiwala alias Abu Ubaida (19), Ibrahim Mohammad Husen Ghagha alias Abu Hamza (30), Mudassir Abdullah Ghaziwala alias Abu Aya (22), Zakariya Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha alias Ibn Ammar and Zakariya Palanpuri (21), Mufti Faujan Ismail Dauwa alias Mufti Sahab (40), Mohammad Amin Shera alias Amin Palanpuri (21), Mohammad Abdul Rahman Savdi alias Mohammad Palanpuri and Abu Unisa (22), and Bilal Durani Mohammad Ammar Ghagha alias Abu Dujana, Abu Sufiyan, Abu Zundal and Umar bin Khattab (18), who hails from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh.

Investigators said the accused are being questioned over their alleged involvement in anti-national activities, recruitment efforts and suspected links with Jaish-e-Mohammed. Security agencies are also examining their communication records, financial transactions, digital devices and possible contacts with other individuals associated with extremist organisations.

The ATS has not disclosed whether the group had any immediate plans to target the Rath Yatra or any other public event. Officials maintained that the investigation is at a preliminary stage and further details will emerge after sustained interrogation and forensic examination of the seized material.

A criminal case has been registered against all eight accused under Sections 13, 17, 18, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, along with Sections 148 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These provisions deal with unlawful activities, raising funds for terrorism, conspiracy, membership and support to terrorist organisations, as well as offences related to criminal conduct.

Officials said additional legal action could follow depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The ATS is also coordinating with central intelligence agencies and law enforcement authorities in other states to trace any interstate or cross-border links connected to the accused.

Security agencies routinely intensify surveillance before major religious gatherings such as the Rath Yatra due to the large public participation. The latest operation is being viewed as part of preventive security measures aimed at disrupting suspected terror modules before they can establish operational capabilities.

Authorities have appealed to the public not to circulate unverified information on social media and assured that all necessary security arrangements are in place for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the upcoming Rath Yatra.