Bhubaneswar: Rath Yatra has now become a major global festival. There are reports of celebration from USA, Singapore, Canada, Italy, Australia and now Kenya too.
NRI Odias in Nairobi gave the locals a glimpse into their culture when they celebrated the festival on Sunday. Back home in Puri, it was celebrated on Saturday.
Members of the Shree Jagannath (East Africa) Samaj in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, celebrated Rath Yatra with much grandeur. The car festival here entered its sixth year this time.
Around 60 Odia families participated in the festival.
“We invited as many as 1,000 people including locals, Gujaratis, Punjabis, South Indians and ISCKON devotees to our festival. The yatra started from Sai Temple at Kusi lane and culminated at the same point after all the rituals were completed,” said Pramod Sahoo, chairman of the Samaj.
Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were placed on a chariot made by a local carpenter.
After the puja, MP and Chairman of the Health Committee, Sabina Chege performed the ‘Chhera Pahanra’ Niti.
The chief guest, Member of Parliament of Kenya, Dr Swarup Ranjan Mishra, apprised those present of the history of the Rath Yatra and its significance.
The chariot carrying the idols of Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra was pulled by devotees to the accompaniment of songs and dances, chanting of hymns and beating of Mrudanga and Ghanta.
Prasad was also distributed after the journey culminated.
