Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, July 21: People of the city are readying themselves to take part in the rituals pertaining to post-Rath Yatra processions soon after the completion of the millennium’s maiden Nabakalebara Rath Yatra.
From July 26, the ritual of bringing the chariots of the Trinity of Puri Jagannath temple back to Srimandir from the Gundicha temple will commence. The chariots of Jagannath, Subhadra, Balbhadra are now parked outside the Gundicha temple as part of the festival.
Many people from the city are now planning to visit Puri to take part in the religious celebrations. Avinash Mishra, a chemist from the city, said, “I took part in the Rath Yatra in Puri. It was a great experience as this time the excitement was compounded due to its coinciding with the Nabakalebara festival. I along with some of my friends am now planning to take part in the Bahuda, Sunabesa and Niladri Bije rituals of the Rath Yatra which will commence from July 26.”
Many in the city have meanwhile already booked their tickets for the upcoming festival. Shreya Sengupta, an engineering student from KIIT said, “I didn’t take part in the Rath Yatra as I was deterred by the huge crowds that would descend on Puri for the festival. But I had decided to take part in the other rituals slated after Rath Yatra as they attract lesser crowds and it is possible for us to have a glimpse of the Trinity. I had already booked the tickets in advance. I’m going there with three of my friends to the event.”
Meanwhile, it is a regular affair for many. “I always go to Rath Yatras every year. Being very close to Puri, I make sure I take part in the processions and also take part in other events while the Raths are brought back to Srimandir. For people like me, Rath Yatra is incomplete if we don’t take part in all the rituals,” said Bijay Jena, a local.