post news network
Bhubaneswar: Owing to heavy rain in the capital city Lord Jagnnath’s Rath Yatra started late in the afternoon here, Saturday. Places like Iskcon, KIIT Jagnnath temple, Vani Vihar University, RCM as well as Bishnu temple in Sahidnagar witnessed large crowds who waited in the rain to pull the chariots of Lord Jagnnath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balram. Orissa POST interacted with few of the devotees, students and professionals who had their share in this Yatra.
Sradha Sadangi, a home maker and resident of Nayapalli, was pretty excited as she waited inside Iskcon temple to had her share of tugging the chariot in the late afternoon. She said, “Lord Jagnnath’s Rath Yatra is the greatest festival of the supreme divinity who has exhibited himself in the Kali Yuga to liberate humanity and to relieve them from their sufferings. In fact, the influence of Yama, the God of Death, is supposed to have been curtailed in the presence of Lord Jagannath and, therefore, getting involved in Rath Yatra reliefs oneself from the fear of death”.
Rakesh Roshan, a resident of Vani Vihar Boys’ Hostel, had his own share of divinity when he pulled the chariot of Lord Jagnnath, Lord Balbhadra and Goddess Subhdra. He said he felt like touching divinity. “It’s a ritual for every Odia to touch the scared ropes of the Lord’s chariot. In fact, my mother used to say that whether it rains or thunders the chariots’ Yatra never stops.”
Pramod Sahoo, a resident of VSS Nagar, said, “The Rath Yatra at VSS Nagar is more like a community affair. Here every family comes with its own puja thali for the Lord in the early morning when BalBhog is offered to the Lords.”
Madhusmita Sahoo, a housewife from Railway Colony, had a great day as she participated in pulling the chariot of Goddess Subhadra. She said, “I was blessed and sp I could hold Goddess Subhadra in my lap. A ritual is associated with the chariot of Goddess Subhadra wherein her Rath is only pulled by women devotees.”
Biren Senapati, an employee of private news channel, said, “The biggest happiness for me is when I take a day off from my work to pull the ropes of the Lord’s chariot. Our whole family waits at the Bishnu temple from morning and we participate in the rituals associated with the Rath Yatra.”
Sangita Mahalik, a student of KIIT University, said, “It’s heartening to witness such a Chariot festival and I am happy to participate in it. Although, the rain played a spoil sport, I am quite happy that I got my opportunity to pull the ropes of the Holy Chariot”.
