Lucknow: Hundreds of devotees took part in Jagannath Rath Yatra celebrations across the city on Thursday, pulling chariots, singing devotional songs and offering prayers. The annual festival marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, to their aunt’s home.Chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ and ‘Jai Balabhadra’ echoed as processions moved with music, drumbeats and flower showers with people taking turns to pull the chariots.At the ISKCON Rath Yatra, which started at Ravindralaya, four decorated chariots carried Lord Jagannath, Lord Ram and Sita, and Lord Krishna with Radha. Food stalls distributed ice cream, kulfi, kheer, aloo-puri and kadhi. Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak participated in the yatra.“Rath Yatra teaches unity, devotion and selfless service,” said Sumedha Acharya. Aniruddh Tripathi said, “Pulling the chariot is a blessing that brings immense joy.”In Daliganj, a 22-ft chariot carrying Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra attracted large crowds. The procession also featured colourful tableaux mounted on a vintage car. Odisha native Reeta Mohanty said the procession connected to her roots.At Gaudiya Math, around 150 priests from Banaras, Gujarat and Mathura performed aarti and kirtans before a ‘bhandara’ (feast).In Sarrafa Market’s rath yatra, shopkeepers and residents distributed samosa, kachori, chhole, lassi and shikanji.The ‘Nauka Vihar’ ritua at Lete Hue Hanuman Temple took Lord Jagannath and his siblings on a boat ride in Gomti. “Watching the Lord sail on the river was divine,” said Riddhima Saha.
