Bhubaneswar/Houston: The 14th annual Rath Yatra was celebrated in Houston by Orissa Culture Center (OCC) at Fuqua Street.
As many as 500 devotees participated in the annual event. The puja and Rath Yatra was performed as per nitee and rituals and an offering of Chappan bhog (56 varieties of prasad) was made to the deities.
The Chhera Pahanra (sweeping of the chariot) was performed by Bhubaneswar-based member Bansidhar Lenka who was present in Houston.
The chariot with the three deities Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath was pulled by the devotees while singing songs and hymns of the Lord.
Indian Consul General Asim Mahajan, based in Houston and president of the Sitaram Foundation Arun Verma were the chief guests.
A health camp by local doctors was a special attraction.
Dr Aditya Samal, Dr Debananda Pati, Tapan Behera and Aruni Acharya ensured smooth conduct of the Rath Yatra.
