Jagannath Rath Yatra held with devotion & tradition
Ludhiana: Not caring about the scorching heat and humid weather, people belonging to the Oriya community, who have been staying in the industrial town for over two decades, organised the Jagannath Rath Yatra on Friday.
This event followed the pattern of the Yatra, which is organised every year in Puri.
The devotees were preparing for this Rath Yatra for the past two months. Barefoot and sweating profusely, the devotees brought Lord Jagannath, Balram, and Subhadra out of the Jagannath Temple in Chander Nagar so that devotees could pay obeisance to their beloved God.
Flower petals were showered on the idols by the devotees all around.
The road from the temple to the chariot was properly washed with water before bringing the idols.
It is a belief among the devotees that Lord Jagannath comes out of the temple for nine days and stays at their 'Massima' house for these many days. People from any religion and community can come and take his blessings for these nine days.
The devotees were full of enthusiasm and vibrant with energy to celebrate the day. First, they brought out the Lord Jagannath, Balram, and Subhadra idols from the temple and made them sit on the rath, especially prepared for this day.
They followed all the traditions which are followed in the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The devotees were taking blessings from Lord Jagannath while the idol was being brought out of the temple and established on the chariot decorated with flowers. They were dancing and chanting "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna", "Hari Bol Hari Bol", to fill energy among other devotees and nearby residents of the area who were also immersed in the devotion.
Before starting the Yatra, the road is cleaned with a broom made of gold, and then it moves towards the designated areas. It started in the afternoon, and the chariot passed through areas like Chander Nagar, Old Court Chowk, Dandi Swami Chowk, Haibowal Chowk, and ended again in Chander Nagar, where the three idols were brought to the Massima house, also called the Gundicha Temple.
For the next eight days, devotees will worship the Lord there, and then He will go back to the Jagannath Temple.
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