New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Lakhs of devotees continued to throng Puri in Odisha on Saturday to offer prayers and have darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, who are seated on their majestic chariots in front of the Gundicha Temple as part of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra. Thousands of pilgrims from across the country and abroad gathered at the pilgrimage town to witness the divine darshan of the sibling deities and participate in one of India’s most revered religious festivals. The atmosphere remained charged with devotion as devotees chanted hymns, offered prayers and sought blessings.To ensure the smooth conduct of the festivities, the Puri Police put in place elaborate crowd management arrangements to regulate the large gathering and facilitate the movement of devotees. Security personnel were deployed at key locations, while officials monitored the flow of pilgrims to ensure a safe and orderly darshan.

Expressing his prayers for the well-being of humanity, a devotee said, “…I pray that the Lord grants wisdom to everyone, brings peace to the world, and puts an end to the conflicts that are going on. May He continue to bless everyone. The arrangements are good…”Among the international devotees was Radhika Lila Devi from Hungary, who spoke about the profound spiritual experience of witnessing the Rath Yatra.She said, “When I look at the devotees here, I get goosebumps. I can see so many different emotions on their faces, some are crying, some are smiling.”Recalling a touching moment, she added, “I just saw a woman who had brought rice as an offering for the Lord. Seeing the devotion of everyone here moves me deeply.”Describing her own spiritual journey, Radhika Lila Devi said, “My tears do not come only because I love the Lord, but because I keep asking Him, ‘When will I experience that kind of love for you?’ The Lord is like the most powerful magnet; there is nothing more powerful…”

The world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of India’s largest and most revered religious festivals, commenced on Thursday in Puri, drawing lakhs of devotees from across the country to witness the grand annual procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.The centuries-old festival holds immense religious significance as it is the only occasion when the presiding deities of the Jagannath Temple leave the sanctum sanctorum and travel through the streets of Puri, enabling devotees from all walks of life to seek their blessings.During the Rath Yatra, the three sibling deities are ceremonially placed on magnificently decorated wooden chariots, which are pulled by thousands of devotees amid devotional chants, religious songs and an atmosphere of deep faith.

The annual procession marks the sacred journey of the deities from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, where, according to tradition, they stay for a few days while visiting their aunt. The yatra symbolises divine compassion, inclusivity and Lord Jagannath’s desire to come out among his devotees to bless everyone, irrespective of social or cultural barriers.Every year, the festival attracts an enormous congregation of pilgrims, sants and tourists from India and around the world, making it one of the country’s most significant religious and cultural celebrations.

/IANS