Agencies, Imphal
Ratha Yatra ( Kang ) was celebrated today in Manipur with religious fervour and gaiety even as heavy rainfall could not deter hundreds of people offering fruits, flowers, prayers to Lord Jagannath.
Most roads wore a festive look as people bedecked in religious attire lined up to offer prayers to the chariots being pulled on the roads.
Traditionally the festival starts with prayers at Shri Shri Govindajee temple and the idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Goddess Shubhadra were carried to the massive chariot at Palace compound. Chief Minister N Biren singh, minister, MLAs and large numbers of people took part in the celebrations.
As soon as the event started at the Shri Shri Govindajee complexes large numbers of chariots were pulled out on the streets by devotees singing the glory of the Lord. Security arrangements were tightened and traffic was stopped at the Royal Palace complex and ISKCON temple.
Chief minister N. Biren stated that the celebration of Kang festival in the state begins on the second day of ‘Engen’ month of Manipuri lunar calendar and ends on the tenth day of the same month which is known as Kanglen. The festival brings into focus the love of God into our hearts, and cultivate the character of humility, charity and compassion for all beings.
Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Information Minister Th Biswajit, Revenue minister Karam Shyam , Education Minister Th Radheshyam also extended greetings to all on the occasion.
During the festival songs and dances will be organised in most localities followed by offering of Khichri ( food) to the devotees in the temples.