Rath Yatra celebrated with solemnity

Correspondent

Silchar, July 14: Rath Yatra across Barak Valley was celebrated with all solemnity and sublimity. Along with ISKCON, well decorated chariots with the deities of Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra were brought out from Radha Madhab Akhra, Gouriya Math, Shyam Sundar Mandir, Narsing Akhra, Gopal Akhra, Mahaprabhu Akhra, Gour Nitai Ashram, Malugram Shivbari, Itkhola Kalibari and Bishnupriya Manipuri Temple of Bhagatpur among others. The chariots with the deities passing through the streets of the town drew huge crowds. The ISKCON Rath was inaugurated by Cachar Deputy Commissioner S Lakshmanan. After a week, the chariots again are back to their sanctum sanctorium.

Rath Yatra is a festival involving deities, Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra, moving around on a chariot or Rath. The annual procession called Rath Yatra originated in Puri, Odhisa, and till today it is being celebrated with the same religious fervour.

Various beliefs are associated with Rath Yatra. On a lighter vein, many people come out to feel the ambience of the day filled with festive mood. Rath Yatra is celebrated in more than 108 cities of the world. On this day, the three deities, the triads are being worshipped in the inner sanctum of the world famous temple at Puri. Raths or chariots are colossal wheeled wooden structured vehicles that are pulled by the devotees.

What is exceptional about ISKCON Rath is that the chariot with the deities is back again same day to the temple as the followers of this cult of Lord Jagannath do not believe in the existence of any aunt or Mausi Maa. The chariots brought out from other temples make their return journey after 9 days of halt at the house of aunt or Mausi Maa. It is worth mentioning that the festival commemorates Lord Jagannath’s annual visit to Gundicha Temple via aunt’s home or Mausi Maa Temple which is near Balagandi Chaka in Puri.