Kotpad:July 18 [UDN}: The annual Rath Yatra was celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervour at Kotpad. Thousands of devotees gathered to witness the famous chariot festival, while several Sankirtan (devotional singing) groups added to the spiritual atmosphere with their melodious bhajans and traditional music.
Extending greetings on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra to the people of Kotpad and Odisha, the festivities began after the morning rituals and traditional worship at the Jagannath Temple. Following the Pahandi Bije procession at around 3 PM, Kotpad Tahsildar Parshuram Bhatra performed the sacred Chhera Pahanra ritual. After Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Sudarshan were ceremonially placed on the chariots, the grand chariot pulling began amid chants of “Jai Jagannath.”
The district administration made elaborate arrangements for the festival. Personnel from the Police Department, Fire Services, Health Department, and RSS volunteers provided smooth coordination and assistance throughout the event.
Among those present were Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhatra, Chairman M. Shankar Rao, Congress MLA candidate Anamu Dian, former MLA Chandrasekhar Majhi, MP representative Rameswar Jena, leaders from various political parties, and thousands of devotees.
The entire Kotpad Grand Road echoed with the chants of “Jai Jagannath” as devotees participated with deep devotion. Sankirtan groups from Mirgan Sahi, Mangali Sahi, and other localities performed traditional devotional music, creating a vibrant and spiritual ambience as the chariots moved from the Jagannath Temple towards the Mausi Maa Temple.
The rituals were conducted under the supervision of temple priests Rajesh Adhikari and Shishir Sadangi, along with Kahu Charan Mahapatra, Hemant Mahapatra, and other sevayats. All religious customs and rituals were completed peacefully and traditionally, making the celebration a joyous and memorable occasion for the devotees.
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