Raipur: The annual Car festival was celebrated at the largest Jagannath Temple of Chhattisgarh in Gayatri Nagar at Raipur with pomp, splendour and fanfare. The mega celebration hosted by Shree Jagannath temple Seva Samiti witnessed the congregation of more than a lakh devotees from Raipur and adjoining areas. Unusual enthusiasms and unprecedented excitements were visible among the strong crowd of Odia and non-Odia devotees gathered here with their family members since the wee hours of the auspicious day to take part in the celebration.

In the morning religious rituals were performed before the deities in the temple. Special havan was organised to invoke the blessings of the God. After the conclusion of havan at around 12.45 p.m, the Pahandi Bije of God Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra, Debi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were performed by servitors to the three chariots parked in the Grand Road in front of the Temple.

Governor of Chhattisgarh Biswabhushan Harichandan was the Chief Guest and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai was the Guest of Honour. Other distinguished guests included former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, MP Brij Mohan Agrawal, MLA Motilal Sahu and Mayor Aijaz Dhebar. The atmosphere got reverberated with the recitals of hymns, roaring of slogans like Haribol and Jai Jagannath, sounding of Huluhuli, blowing of conch and playing of musical instruments such as Ghanta, Kartala, Mardala, Jhanja and Mrudanga by the devotees.

At around 3.00 p.m. the pulling of Chariots commenced. The spectacular view of royal sojourn of the Gods and Goddess onboard the colourful chariots were memorable and mesmerising. The chariots were pulled till 1 km to B.T.I ground and then taken back to temple premises via Shankar Nagar. At around 6.00 p.m. The Gods and Goddess were taken to Aunt’s house situated at the basement of the temple in a procession.

The arrangements were organised by members including President Purandar Mishra, Members Manmath Kumar Raut, Subrat Sahoo, Subhaash Agrawal, Gopal Agrawal, Dwarikadheesh Mishra, Gunanidhi Mishra and Prakash Das.