Puri’s Rath Yatra Kicks Off: Devotees Describe a ‘Divine Experience’

The annual Rath Yatra in Puri commenced with a large gathering of devotees at the Jagannath temple. People from across the country flocked to witness the grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. Pooja Anand from Mumbai shared her overwhelming experience, calling it ‘out-of-this-world’ and ‘divine’, expressing her desire to pull the chariot. Bandita Patra, part of the Shilp Kala Niketan group, performed a devotional dance, fulfilling a long-standing family and group dream. Other devotees, like Rupali Kajrolkar and Rashmi Chaudhary, shared their joy and the fulfillment of their wishes, emphasizing the festival’s spiritual significance. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended a warm welcome, encouraging participation with faith and devotion.