Over 10 lakh
devotees witnessed the world famous annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath held
here on Sunday with religious fervour and enthusiasm amid tight security as the
practice of people climbing the chariots was stopped in a major reform
initiative.
Devotees
from across the country and abroad descended on the pilgrim town of Puri in
Odisha for a glimpse of the presiding deities of the 12th century shrine of Sri
Jagannath and mingled with the sea of humanity during the annual festival of
chariots. “The festival was held peacefully in a smooth manner. There was no
untoward incident as elaborate security measures were taken,” a senior police
officer said.
Devotees
poured in to the seaside town since early morning to watch the ceremony and
pull the three majestic and colourful chariots on the ‘bada danda,’ the grand
avenue.
A host of
VIPs including Odisha Governor S.C. Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
witnessed the proceedings.
Puri
Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati did not visit the chariots before
they were pulled accusing the Odisha government of interfering in religious
matters by asking him to ascend the raths (chariots) alone without his
disciples.
“The state
government has dared to dictate terms to the Shankaracharya of Puri. I will not
visit the chariots before they are pulled for Rath Yatra,” Saraswati had told
reporters at the Govardhan Peeth in Puri on Saturday. The Hindu
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