Rath Yatra celebrated at Shrivani Khetra of Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jul 6:

The auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra was celebrated today at Shrivani khetra near KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences) in Odisha capital amid religious fervor and gaiety.

More than 20,000 devotees participated in pulling the three decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

The Pahandi and other rituals like Mangala Arati, Mailama, Tadapalagi, Rosha Homa, Abakasha, Surya Puja, Chariot inauguration etc followed after the deities were brought from temple sanctum to the chariots in the morning in a procession as per the rituals of Jagannath Temple of Puri.

Thousands of devotees gathered to pull the three chariots in the afternoon after founder of KIIT Temple Trust Achyuta Samanta performed the holy ritual of Cherapahanra, the ceremonial sweeping of the Chariots.

A special feature to the Rath Yatra celebrations here is: Devadalan — the chariot of goddess Subhadra– is pulled by only females.