Bengaluru: The Karnataka capital celebrated Rath Yatra with much fanfare and festive fervour after a gap of two years of COVID-induced restrictions.
Among those who graced the Rath Yatra Festival were Karnataka CM Basavaraj S. Bommai, Central Bengaluru MP PC Mohan, state minister Arvind Limbavali and MLA M. Satish Reddy.
All religious rituals were performed at the city’s main Jagannath Temple, situated at Agara, from the wee hours of the morning.
Dhadi Pahandi of four deities started 12.15 pm. Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were taken in a procession from Anasara room to the 28-feet high beautifully decorated chariot stationed in front of the temple.
Sitikantha Sadhangi, Trustee of the temple, did the traditional job of Cherrapahanra.
The pulling of chariots began at 2.30 pm amidst the sound of Ghanta, Kartala, Mrudanga, Jhanja and chanting of Jai Jagannath by a crowd of around 25,000.
The festival was arranged and conducted smoothly by trustees and members of the temple management committee Nihar Samantara, Dr Pratap Pani, Kamakhya Panda, Justice J.P.Udgata, HaraPrasad Mohapatra, Manoj Patra and Punyashloka Khuntia among others.
