Silver City soaks in Rath Yatra fervour

CUTTACK: The Millennium City of Cuttack was soaked in religious fervour, literally. Despite rain since morning, thousands of people thronged the streets to get a glimpse of Lord Jagannath and His siblings during the Rath Yatra celebration on Saturday.

Devotees in large number flocked the Jagannath Temple at Chandni Chowk and Patitapaban Temple at Dolamundai where three chariots each are pulled. Rath Yatra of Chandni Chowk Jagannath Templewhich started in 1996, is being celebrated in a grand manner from 2001. On Saturday, the temple was opened at 5.30 am, ‘Pahandi Bije’ was performed around 12 noon and chariots were pulled towards Gundicha temple in Kafla Bazaar at about 2 pm.

Similarly, at Dolamundai, the Patitapaban Temple was opened at 5 am. After necessary rituals, ‘Pahandi Bije’ was performed at 1 pm and thousands of devotees pulled the chariots which started at 3.30 pm.

As per tradition, the chariot of Devi Subhadra was exclusively pulled by women. As every year, the chariots were pulled from Dolamundai to Seminary Chhak and back to Chandan Padia near Dolamundai where Gundicha temple is located.

At Baladevjew Temple at Ranihat, where the Rath Yatra is being celebrated for the fourth year, the three deities were installed in a single chariot. After ‘Chhera Pahanra’ (sweeping) ritual by Collector Sushant Kumar Mohapatra, the chariot was pulled through Ranihat, College Square and back to Ranihat Durga Mandap where the Gundicha temple is located.

Thousands throng Shrivani Kshetra

Bhubaneswar: The festival was also celebrated at Shrivani Kshetra of KISS amid religious fervour and gaiety. More than 30,000 devotees participated in pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. All rituals were performed as per the rituals of Jagannath Temple in Puri. Founder of KIIT and KISS Achyuta Samanta performed ‘Chhera Pahanra’. The chariot of Devi Subhadra was pulled by women.