Bhubaneswar: Over 50,000 devotees came to Shrivani khetra of KISS in the city to participate in Rath Yatra amid religious fervour and gaiety on Thursday.
The three colourful chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were decorated with flowers, applique and mural paintings.
The Pahandi and other rituals like Mangala Arati, Mailama, Tadapalagi, Rosha Homa, Abakasha, Surya Puja, was followed by the procession of deities from the temple sanctum to the chariots in the morning in line with the ritual guidelines of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagganath Temple of Puri.
Thousands of devotees pulled the chariots in the afternoon after KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta performed the holy ritual of Chherapahanra.
The special feature of Ghosayatra here is that, Devadalan, the chariot of Devi Subhadra is pulled by only females.
A festive atmosphere prevailed on the occasion with many temporary shops, food stalls and minabazar set up near the Gundicha temple.
Bhajan Samaroh was held near the Gundicha temple in the evening as part of the nine-day celebration.
