Ratha Jatra of Lord Jagannath held in Dublin; See pics inside

Dublin/Bhubaneswar: Annual Ratha Jatra of Lord Jagannath was held in Dublin this year.

The Odia Society of Ireland (OSI) took the lead for the Dublin Ratha Jatra 2023 recreating the magic and fervor of the original festival of Puri in Odisha.

The enthusiastic devotees pulled the decorated chariot with Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra atop in a grand procession from the Vedic Hindu Culture Centre of Ireland (VHCCI) temple in Dublin. The chariot traversed through the streets of Dublin, culminating the VHCCI temple again.

Amid devotional songs and dance performance, the chariot rolled on the streets. The rhythmic sounds of traditional Indian music and aroma of fragrant incense sticks filled the air. Soaked in devotion, the attendees from Ireland and Indian origin had opportunity to have darshan of Lord Jagannath at the VHCCI temple.

The devotees partook in prasad sevan and participated in several cultural and musical events on Ratha Jatra.

Worth mentioning that Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb, the King of Puri in Indian state of Odisha, had visited the VHCCI temple, Dublin earlier this year.

The Dublin Rath Yatra is not only a religious festival but also a celebration of unity and inclusivity. People from all walks of life, irrespective of their faith or nationality were invited to join in the festivities and witness the grandeur of this auspicious occasion. It provided a unique opportunity to learn about Indian traditions, enjoy vegetarian cuisines, and engage in meaningful conversations with the vibrant Indian community in Dublin, a release stated.