Nine-Day Rath Yatra Comes to an End Today

RANCHI, July 19, 2013: The nine-day JagannathYatra will conclude with colourfulcelebrations in the state capital on Friday. As legend has it, devotees would pull the decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra in Jagannathpur and bring them home to the Jagannath temple after a brief vacation of nine days. Security has been beefed up here for the purpose.

The annual journey of the deities to their maternal aunt's house situated one km away from famous Jagannath temple draw thousands, every year.

The deities were taken to the 'Mausibadi' from the temple in a huge colorful chariot pulled by the devotees nine days ago.

Jagannath Yatra is one of the largest occasions for thousands of local people and tribals to celebrate. People from Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Seraikela Kharsawan, West Singhbhum and also from neighboring states come to Ranchi to participate in the celebrations.

Shivesh Singh, member of Jagannathpur Mandir Nayas Samiti, said all preparations have been made by the management of the temple to mark the auspicious occasion.

The Jagannath temple was established in Ranchi in 1961 and the first such Rath Yatra took place a year later in 1692. A mela has been organized in Ranchi, where traditional weapons, delicacies, clothes, and confectionary items have drawn huge crowd.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 19, 2013.