Bhubaneswar: Over 1,700 devotees participated in Rath Yatra celebrations at Springdales School in Dubai on June 29.
All the traditional rituals – Pahandi Bije, Chhera Pahanra – and pulling of the chariots were conducted with great fervour and in an orderly manner amid chats of ‘Jai Jagannath’. Several kirtan mandalis added to the spiritual atmosphere with devotional music. It also saw Jagannath-themed Odissi performances. A bhajan samaroh was also organised on the occasion.
According to Emirates Odia Paribar, the organisers, this was the largest Rath Yatra ever conducted in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. “This year’s Rath Yatra, held in Dubai, surpassed previous editions in both scale and participation, highlighting the deep-rooted devotion and cultural pride of the Odia community living in the UAE.”
Besides Odias, a large number of people from other ethnicities, residing in 7 Emirates of UAE – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah – participated in the celebrations.
One of the highlights of this year’s celebration was the Ananda Bazaar Puri style Jagannath Mahaprasad, featuring authentic dishes prepared by two cooks specially flown in from Odisha for the occasion, the organisers added.
