Bhubaneswar/Andul: Rath Yatra was celebrated with great enthusiasm at several places all over Odisha, including at Shrivani Kshetra of KISS and Devbhoomi in Jindal Nagar.
Like every year, the much-awaited Rath Yatra was celebrated at Shrivani Kshetra of KISS, today amidst much religious fervour and gaiety.
At Shrivani Kshetra, Chhera Pahanra ritual was conducted by KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta at 3 pm after the forenoon religious ceremonies like Mangala Arati, Mailama, Tadapalagi, Rosha Homa, Abakasha, Surya Puja.
At around 4 pm, thousands of devotees participated in pulling the three decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra up to the newly-built Gundicha Temple near the KIIT-Sikharchandi Road.
Devi Subhadra’s chariot was pulled by women devotees only, as more than 50,000 people joined the festival amid religious recitals and chants of Jay Jagannath.
During the nine-day festival, there will be Bhajan Samaroh every evening near Gundicha temple.
Jindal Nagar celebrations
At Devboomi in Jindal Nagar, too, the festival was held with deep devotion, adhering to the traditional rituals of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra.
Thousands of devotees from far and wide took part in the celebrations as the majestic chariots — Taladhwaja, Darpadalan and Nandighosh, representing Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Mahaprabhu Jagannath, respectively — embarked on their sacred annual journey from Jagannath temple in Devboomi to Gundicha temple within the township.
Lok Sabha MP and Jindal Steel & Power Chairman Naveen Jindal, Jindal Foundation Chairperson Shallu Jindal, and his mother Savitri Jindal, MLA from Hisar and Chairperson Emeritus of the O.P. Jindal Group, participated as prime servitors.
Naveen took part in the Pahandi Vidhi and performed Chhera pahanra, the ritualistic sweeping of the path for the chariots.
“I offer my prayers to the Almighty for bestowing His divine blessings upon us all. This is a festival where everyone is equal, there is no distinction between the wealthy and the poor. We come together to pull the chariots and receive the blessings of the Lord of the Universe, Lord Shree Jagannath. On behalf of the Jindal family, I wish everyone a joyous and blessed Rath Yatra,” said Naveen.
He said hot cooked meals and chilled drinking water services are being offered by Jindal Foundation to devotees at Puri, and will continue up to Sunabesa. “We are fortunate to serve the devotees at Jagannath Dham Puri consecutively for 11 years, said Naveen.
The Rath Yatra was live-streamed on YouTube so that thousands of devotees can witness the divine procession virtually.
Celebrations will continue in Jindal Nagar Township will continue until July 8, culminating with Niladri Bije.
