Even Gods take a rest

WHETHER IN LEADERSHIP, FRIENDSHIPS, OR FAMILY, SHOWING UP MATTERS. LORD JAGANNATH'S OUTING TELLS US THAT TRUE ENGAGEMENT HAPPENS WHEN WE STEP OUT OF OUR IVORY TOWERS - DIVINE OR OTHERWISE - AND INTO THE CROWD

- SHIVAJI MOHINTA

Last year (6th July 2024) in these very columns, I explored "Big Team Lessons from the Rath Yatra", drawing parallels between this grand spiritual movement and teamwork lessons it offers to transform ordinary tasks to extraordinary achievements.

This year, as the divine procession returns to the streets of Puri, I invite you to look again - not at the chariots or rituals alone, but at the deeply human messages the festival offers.

Two insights particularly stand out this time: the enduring importance of social connections — real, physical, shared — and the understated necessity of conscious relaxation in a world obsessed with busy-ness. Rath Yatra, in its timeless form, speaks powerfully to both.

Power of physical presence

The defining feature of the Rath Yatra is that LORD JAGANNATH steps out of the sanctum to be amongst the people. It's not a mere ceremonial outing — it is a statement of humility and connection. Pulled by thousands, the chariot is not just a vehicle — it's a symbol of shared strength and common purpose.