Like every year, the much-awaited Rath Yatra was celebrated at Shrivani Kshetra of KISS, today amidst much religious fervour and gaiety. In the forenoon religious ceremonies like “Mangala Arati, Mailama, Tadapalagi, Rosha Homa, Abakasha, Surya Puja’’ and establishment of Chariots were held according to the prescribed time and the ceremonial “Chhera Pahanra’’ was conducted by Achyuta Samanta at 4 PM. At around 4.
30 PM thousands of devotees participated in pulling the three decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra up to the newly-built Gundicha Temple near the KIIT-Sikharchandi Road. The atmosphere along the “Ratha Danda’’ near KISS was filled with devotees with traditional musical instruments, religious recitals and the sound of “Jay Jagannath’’. The exclusivity of the Ratha Yatra at Shrivani Kshetra is that the chariot of Devi Subhadra is tugged by women devotees only.
More than 50,000 devotees joined the festival today as the weather conditions were good. It can be mentioned here that all rituals at Shrivani Kshetra are done as per the traditions of Jagannath Temple Puri. The traditions of Ratha Yatra are also followed as laid by the Puri Shri Mandira.
For the construction of the three beautiful chariots special “bindhani’’, “maharana’’ and “chitrakara’’ are engaged by the Shrivani Kshetra Temple Trust. Starting from the construction of the Jagannath Temple at Srhibani Kshetra to all the rituals, “niti’.