Visakhapatnam: The annual Car festival was celebrated at the Jagannath Temple situated in the scenic hills of Dasapalla in Visakhapatnam with fanfare and spiritual fervour. Commencing from the morning, all the religious rituals were performed before the deities in utmost solemnity and pure devotion. Around 5,000 devotees congregated during the occasion to take part in the grand ceremony.

Around 3.30 p.m, the Pahandi Bije started from the sanctum sanctorum. First Lord Sudarshan, then Lord Balabhadra, followed by Devi Subhadra and at the end Lord of the Universe Lord Jagannath were taken in a procession to the colourfully decorated chariot stationed in front of the temple. The entire atmosphere got reverberated with recitals of hymns, shouting of slogans like Haribol, Jai Jagannath and playing of musical instruments such as Ghanta, Kartala, Mardala, Jhanja and Mrudanga. President of the Managing Committee of Shree Jagannath Temple Jitendra Kumar Nayak conducted the traditional sweeping on the chariots called Cherrapahanra.

At around 4.00 p.m, pulling of chariot began from Dasapalla hills and reached the Aunt’s house at Lawson’s Bay Colony covering the distance of nearly 5 km. After the conclusion of Yatra the idols were taken to the Aunt’s house and were placed in the pandal. This year’s Festival was actively supported by Marwadi Yuva Manch and Punjab Association.

The arrangements were made under the supervision of the authorities of Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj’s Governing Body which include President Jitendra Kumar Nayak, General Secretary Bimal Kumar Mahanta, Vice President Dr Karunakar Padhi, members Bijay Mahapatra and Rajendra Prasad Sahu, Banamali Sahu and Arun Das.