Rath Yatra celebrated with religious fervour throughout Barak Valley

July 4: A sea of devotees gathered in front of various temples throughout the valley where decorated chariots were ready with the idols of gods and goddesses. People thronged the streets for a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra as they travel from their home to the home of their aunt.

Adorned with giant floral crowns, the three deities along with Lord Sudarshan were brought out of the sanctum sanctorum amid beats of cymbals, drums and gongs in a procession to the chariots parked in front of the temple.

At ISKCON Temple, Ambicapatty, Silchar, Laya Madduri, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar conducted the ritual of sweeping the road through which the chariot would pass. It is a symbolic rite showing that all are equal before the Lord. As Lord Jagannath, the God of Universe, came out of his abode to give darshan to devotees, the rain gods also showered blessings giving them respite from intense humidity.

Apart from ISKCON, rathas were also taken out by Syhamsundar Akhra, Gopal Ji Akhra, Radhamadhab Akhra, Narshing Akhra, Goudiya Math and many other temples, individuals and community groups. The chariots looked just like temples that have been decorated with small idols, diyas and garlands. The chariots were pulled by the devotees with great enthusiasm.

Jagannath Rath Yatra was also taken out by devotees in Karimganj. MLA Kamalakhya Dey also joined the devotees in pulling the ratha along with other devotees. The chariot festival ends nine days later with ‘Fira Rath’ or the return journey of the deities to the main temple.

The festival of Ratha-yatra represents Lord Jagannatha’s longing to reunite with His dear devotees in Vrindavana, foremost among them, Srimati Radharani. According to tradition, the Lord gets lovesick once a year just prior to the festival. To cheer him up, His servants arrange for Him to go on a lavish procession to meet up with His devotees.

Lord Jagannatha rides on a grand, three-story-high chariot, accompanied by thousands of onlookers and marching bands with scores of drummers, singers, and dancers. India’s colonial British rulers coined the term “juggernaut” from the large, heavy chariot used to celebrate this festival in the city of Jagannatha Puri.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wished people on the beginning of the Rath Yatra.