- Title: INDIA: Annual Rath Yatra or chariot festival seeks blessings of Lord Jagannath
- Date: 22nd June 2012
- Summary: PURI, ODISHA, INDIA (JUNE 21, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) DEVOTEES SURROUNDING THE TRADITIONAL CHARIOTS CARRYING IDOLS OF HINDU DEITIES DEVOTEES CARRYING AN IDOL DEVOTEE MAKING A 'RANGOLI' COLOURFUL DECORATIVE DESIGN ON THE ROAD DEVOTEES BEATING TRADITIONAL DRUMS AND DANCING ARTISTES PERFORMING TRADITIONAL INDIAN DANCE AHEAD OF THE CHARIOT DEVOTEES WALKING WITH TRADITIONAL FANS NEAR THE CHARIOT DEVOTEES WATCHING THE CHARIOT PROCESSION FROM A BUILDING DEVOTEES HOLDING THE IDOL OF A DEITY DEVOTEES CARRYING THE IDOL DEVOTEES CROWDED ON THE CHARIOT (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DEVOTEE, MALA, SAYING: "It is due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath that I am here witnessing this momentous occasion, I am thrilled." AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT, INDIA (JUNE 21, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) POLICE PERSONNEL STANDING NEAR THE A TEMPLE PREMISES POLICE PERSONNEL STANDING BEFORE DEVOTEES PROCESSION OF ELEPHANTS IN PROGRESS COLOURFUL DECORATIONS ON ELEPHANT'S FEET PROCESSION IN PROGRESS DEVOTEES CROWDED AT THE TEMPLE PREMISES AHEAD OF THE CHARIOT PROCESSION IDOL OF HINDU DEITY LORD JAGANNATH ON THE CHARIOT CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT NARENDRA MODI, GETTING ON TOP OF THE CHARIOT (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT NARENDRA MODI, SAYING: "I pray to Lord Jagannath to bless Gujarat with peace, unity, communal harmony and help the state soar in the skies of development. May the state flourish more with his blessings, the poorest man of the region whether he is farmer or a villager, everyone should be showered with his rich blessings. May prosperity dwell in everyone's lives and we get good monsoons this year. This is my only prayer to Lord Jagannath today." KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA (JUNE 21, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) DEVOTEES WATCHING THE CHARIOT OF LORD JAGANNATH FROM A DISTANCE HINDU PRIESTS PERFORMING PRAYERS ON THE CHARIOT HINDU PRIESTS FANNING THE IDOL OF HINDU DEITY CHIEF MINISTER OF WEST BENGAL, MAMATA BANERJEE ARRIVING ON THE VENUE (SOUNDBITE) (Bengali) CHIEF MINISTER OF WEST BENGAL, MAMATA BANERJEE, SAYING: "Hail Lord Jagannath, I want to wish for peace and happiness for all the people in the world. I wish for a more enlightened and beautiful world for Maa, Mati and Manush (Mother, Motherland, Public)." DEVOTEES HOLDING UMBRELLAS WHILE STANDING BEFORE THE CHARIOT
- Embargoed: 7th July 2012 11:44
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVACQ7IS606KTOF582QTRNFKRZMZ
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Millions of Hindu devotees participated in the annual Rath Yatra or chariot festival in Puri of India's eastern coastal state of Odisha on Thursday (June 21).
Vibrantly decked chariots of Hindu deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra were taken out with much fervour by devotees, priests amid heavy security arrangements.
Thrilled devotees crowded near the procession route to witness the mega event as artists dressed in traditional outfits and ornaments danced away to drum beats as the chariots progressed towards their destination.
An ecstatic devotee Mala, who witnessed the festival for the first time, shared her experience with the reporters.
"It is due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath that I am here witnessing this momentous occasion, I am thrilled," said Mala, a devotee.
The atmosphere was equally electric in Ahmedabad of India's western state of Gujarat, where a sea of devotees poured out the streets to participate in the festival that began with a majestic procession of elephants.
Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi also visited the chariot and participated in the traditional rituals.
Modi spoke to journalists about the festival, while praying for his state on the occasion.
"I pray to Lord Jagannath to bless Gujarat with peace, unity, communal harmony and help the state soar in the skies of development. May the state flourish more with his blessings, the poorest man of the region whether he is farmer or a villager, everyone should be showered with his rich blessings. May prosperity dwell in everyone's lives and we get good monsoons this year. This is my only prayer to Lord Jagannath today," said Modi.
Meanwhile the festival was also celebrated in Kolkata of India's eastern state of West Bengal, where devotees participated in festivities with much ado.
Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee visited the venue for chariot procession and addressed devotees on the occasion.
"Hail Lord Jagannath, I want to wish for peace and happiness for all the people in the world. I wish for a more enlightened and beautiful world for Maa, Mati and Manush (Mother, Motherland, Public)," said Banerjee.
The procession is an annual feature across the country and is taken out on 'Ashadh Beej.' The festival marks the return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra to their home Vrindavan after a long gap.
According to Hindu religious texts, Jagannath is the reincarnation of Lord Krishna who along with his elder brother Balabhadra or Balaram and sister Subhadra are worshipped in the Puri temple known as Shrimandira.
Millions of devotees assemble at the grand road to witness this divine procession. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
