BHUBANESWAR, July 7, 2013: The chariots of Iskcon Temple here will roll on a different route this year as the usual path on the NH has been dug up as part of the expansion work. The raths will be shifted to the NH lane opposite the temple, a temple spokesperson said.

The road divider on the NH 5 in front of the temple has already been cut to pave way for shifting the chariots, said temple spokesman Radhakanta Das.

Das said since the chariots can't roll on the temple side of the NH, the alternative arrangement was made after discussion with the National Highways Authority of India and commisisonerate of police.

In earlier years, the annual journey of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra was taking the wrong side of the NH from Iskcon temple to CPRF and from there to Gundicha Temple in Unit-VIII.

Iskcon temple's rath yatra is the biggest crowd-puller though the festival is celebrated in at least 20 different locations in city. Around 40,000 devotees take part in pulling Iskcon raths. Preparations are in full swing for the July 10 festival.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 7, 2013.