Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra Festival Celebrated in Manchester with Great Fanfare

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GG News Bureau

Manchester, 10th July. Manchester, the third largest city in the United Kingdom, hosted Lord Jagannath’s second Rath Yatra Festival on July 6 with much fanfare and spiritual fervour.

Pandit Shyam Sunder Sharma, the main priest, performed all religious rituals before the Four Deities stationed at Gita Bhawan with utmost solemnity and pure devotion since the morning.

Gita Bhawan was beautifully decorated to commemorate the auspicious occasion. The Rath Yatra Festival this year elicited unprecedented enthusiasm and enchantment among the crowds.

Around 500 Odia and non-Odia devotees gathered at Gita Bhawan to witness the Holy Event.

The four deities were led in a Dhadi Pahandi procession to the colourful 18-foot-high chariot parked outside Gita Bhawan around 12.45 p.m. The chariot, which was superbly designed by Mike Sharkey and his team, was adorned with an amazing Patachitra painting painted by Renowned Artists Bibek Babu and Pragyana Babu.

The entire atmosphere was reverberated by hymn recitals, roaring slogans such as Hari Bol, Jai Jagannath, hulahuli sounding, blowing off conch, and playing of musical instruments such as Ghanta, Mardala, Jhanja, and Mrudanga.

The Pahandi of Goddesses Subhadra, performed entirely by women, was the highlight of the celebration.

Raj Kaushal, Senior Trustee of Gita Bhawan, performed the traditional sweeping in front of the Chherra Pahanra chariot.

The most nerve-racking moment occurred around 1.15 p.m., when the chariot pulling began. Manchester’s streets witnessed the majestic Royal Sojourn of the Lord of the Universe on board the chariot. The caravan of the Gods and Goddesses passed through Wilbraham Road, Werburgh’s Road, Brantingham Road, and Withington Road before arriving at Gita Bhawan.

Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Groton, Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport, and renowned physician Dr. Bibhu Mishra were among the distinguished dignitaries present.

The Mega Event included a spectacular cultural extravaganza featuring dances in the Odissi and Bharatanatyam styles, a Radha Krushna dance drama staged by children, and a soul soothing Bhajan Recital.

The mesmerising Odissi dance performance by upcoming classical exponent Nirushree Mohanty was the highlight of the cultural session.

As announced by temple management the Deities will be offered Anna prasadam till Bahuda Day at Gundicha Temple.

The main organisers, Dr Siba Senapati, Rekha Senapati, Siba Ranjan Biswal, Bishnu Dash, Bibek Babu, Jeeban Panigrahi, and Durgesh Panigrahi, oversaw and executed the entire Rath Yatra Festival arrangement.

The Hosts thanked Manchester City Council, Manchester Police, and highway authorities for their unwavering support and overwhelming cooperation in making this year’s car Festival a huge success.

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