Navi Mumbai: The Jagannath Temple situated at Sector Five in Kharghar of Navi Mumbai hosted the annual Rath Yatra with fanfare and spiritual fervour. Thousands of Odia and non–Odia devotees gathered to witness the grand ceremony.
Commencing from the morning, all rituals were performed before the deities with utmost solemnity and unfettered devotion. The managing body of the temple, Maharashtra Odia Welfare Association (MOWA), made special arrangements for smooth and peaceful conduct of the event.
In the afternoon, the Pahandi Bije of the idols started from the sanctum sanctorum. First Lord Sudarshana, then Elder Brother Lord Balabhadra, followed by Devi Subhadra and at the end Lord of the Universe Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath were taken in a procession to the colourfully decorated chariot stationed in front of the temple. The entire atmosphere got reverberated with recitals of hymns, shouting of slogans like Hari Bol, Jai Jagannath and playing of musical instruments such as Ghanta, Mardala, karatala, Jhanja and Mrudanga.
President and Trustee of MOWA Bhagwan Panda conducted the traditional sweeping on the chariot in golden broom called Cherra Pahanra. After that the pulling of chariot began. The scene of Royal Sojourn of Lord of the Universe on board the majestic chariot in the street of Mumbai was memorable and mesmerising. The Chariot reached Gundicha Temple in the evening.
Special attraction of the festival was presentations of soul soothing bhajans and partaking of delicious prasad by devotees at Gundicha Temple. The deities will remain on the Adapa Mandap here for public darshan till Bahuda Yatra on July 5. The programmes of Prasad Sevan and recitals of Bhajan shall continue daily till the Niladri Bije Day on July 8.
This year’s Rath Yatra was well managed and smoothly conducted under the active and able stewardships of Trustees Bhagwan Panda, Balaram Patro, Manoj Kumar Nayak, Ketan Gokhale, B.C. Khatua, Capt. S.P. Rao, Bighnaraj Parida, Maguni Raut and Vice-President P.M. Mahapatra along with other members of the managing committee.
