Cultural Activities Add Zing To Rath Yatra Celebrations In California & Chicago

Bhubaneswar: News has been pouring in about Rath Yatra being celebrated in different parts of the country and also the world.

People in California’s Vedic Dharma Samaj, Fermont also celebrated the festival with fervour. This is one of the four Rath Yatras in the Bay Area.

The Rath was assembled by July 13 dusk and from then on, volunteers started preparations to serve food to the visitors. The deities were dressed up (Nana Kalebara) the same day and the Rath Yatra began the next day with ‘Chera Pahanra’ and ‘Pahandi’. The chariots were rolled around the temple’s parking lot.

The deities were taken to an alternate location in the Mausima Temple and prasad, including khaja and ladoos were served to the devotees. Around 1400 people joined the chariot festival celebrations.

There also was an Odissi dance performance. Odia volunteers at the temple prepared lunch for all the visitors/devotees. Bahuda Yatra is scheduled for July 22.

Besides, Rath Yatra was also celebrated in Chicago. Aurora, as well as ISKCON Rath Yatra in Chicago Devon area, has been taking place for several years. However, it was the first time that the chariot festival was organised by the Chicago downtown temple by Shivalya Hindu Cultural Center. The temple is run by a non-Odia family.

Chicago downtown streets were cleaned for the procession.

Lord Jagannath was enshrined here two years ago. This time, the organizers wished to bring Rath Yatra to a wider downtown diaspora. The event was followed by Bhajan kirtan, dance performances by Utkala Dance Academy, Maha Aarti and Prasad. Lunch was also served to all the devotees. There was also exhibition of handicrafts.