Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, July 08: Like every year, this year also the Ratha Yatra is being celebrated in Diglipur. The main function of Shree Gundicha Yatra started with Mahapuja of Lord Jagannath in Radha Govinda Mandir here yesterday.
As per age-old tradition, the women devotees of Lord Jagannath, adorned in puja sarees and in nude feet, walked from Shree Shree Dakshina Kaali Mandir to Shree Shree Radha Govinda Mandir in the afternoon to invite and take the Lord to His aunt. On this day, Lord Jagannath and his two siblings, Balaram and Subhadra, visit His aunt on the chariot with long sacred ropes on two sides pulled by devotees.
The Ratha Yatra commenced at around 04.30 pm. The procession set out from Radha Govinda Mandir and culminated at Shree Shree Dakshina Kaali Mandir at about 07:30 pm after traversing several localities and temples like Sri Murugan Temple, Sri Shani Temple, Sri Shiva Temple, Sri Mariyamma Temple. The devotees proudly pulled the chariots forward, upholding a centuries-old tradition. The same ritual will also be followed at the time of return of Ratha Yatra (Bahuda) on the Ninth day starting from Sunday i.e. July 7th 2024.
The Lord Jagannath’s chariot colourfully decorated and the devotees pulling the Ratha with deep devotion presented a spectacular show which portrayed the rich culture prevailing in our Islands especially in Diglipur.
This year in particular, the Rath Yatra witnessed an unprecedented crowd of devotees who were seen dancing and chanting kirtanas in tune and rhythm with the music of trumpets etc.
Rath Yatra is being organized jointly by Radha Govinda Mandir Committee and Shree Shree Dakshina Kaali Mandir Committee, Diglipur. During this nine-day festival, puja-archana and naam-sangkirtanas will be held daily in the morning and evening and there will be distribution of prasad and mahabhog for the devotees every day in the noon, Shri Goutam Biswas, President & Shri Bapi Saha Secretary of Shree Shree Dakshina Kaali Mandir Committee, Diglipur, said.
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