Bhubaneswar: Rath Yatra was celebrated with pomp and grandeur by Odias and local residents in Australian capital Canberra.
On the day of Rath Yatra, Sankalp Puja and Arati of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and devi Subhadra were performed by priest Acharya Prakash Pandey in the Hindu Temple at 81, Ratcliffe Crescent at dawn.
At about 10 am, the Dhadi Pahandi of the deities commenced. First Lord Sudarshan, then Lord Balabhadra followed by Devi Subhadra and at the end Lord Jagannath were taken in procession to the 4 meter high colourfully decked up chariot parked in front of the temple. Goddess Subhadra was carried in swinging manner exclusively by women.
The Representative of the Chief Minister of ACT Andrew Barr, Deepak Raj Gupta conducted the traditional “Chherra Pahanra” (sweeping of the chariot). Amid recital of hymns, slogans like Hari Bol and Jai Jagannath, sounding of Hulahuli and playing of musical instruments like Ghanta, Kartala, Mardala, Jhanja and Mrudanga, the chariot pulling started at around 11 am. The chariot with four deities on board had a majestic sojourn on the street of Florey for 2 km and was then pulled back to the temple.
This year’s Rath Yatra witnessed participation of more than 1,000 devotees with tremendous enthusiasm and unprecedented excitement. Apart from local residents, hundreds of Odia and non-Odia devotees along with their family members and relatives from far off cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other parts of Australia also descended at Jagannath Dham for the mega event.
The distinguished dignitaries who participated in the car festival included Representative of Indian High Commissioner, Counsellor Narendra Rana, Members of ACT Assembly Jo Clay, Andrew Braddock and lead of Canberra Odia Community Rozalin Rout.
The Rath Yara was followed by cultural programmes including recital of Bhajans by the students of local music school and presentations of musical numbers like Jagannath Ashtakam and Dasavataar through Odissi Dance.
The festival was organised by Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre at Florey in association with Australia’s Odia Society (ORIOZ Inc) and the Hindu Council of Australia in Canberra.
President of Hindu Temple and Vultural Centre Prakash Mehta, secretary Tarun Agasti, former president of Australia’s Odia Society (ORIOZ INC.) Dr Nalini Pati, executive committee member of Orioz Inc Mumtaz Lenka and president of Hindu Council of Australia’s ACT Chapter Santosh Gupta played major role in organising the festival.
