One of the most important festivals of the port city here after lord Biswakarma Puja is Rath Yatra. The festival was held with much pomp on Wednesday last.
Thousands of devotees of lord Jagannath in and around Paradip congregated to have a darshan of the deities. Jagannath Mandir Trust president and Paradip Port Trust Chairman Sudhanshu Shekhar Mishra performed the chhera pahanra on a decorated chariot. The chariot was pulled from the main Jagannath temple at around 3 pm and reached the Mausimaa temple at 5.45 pm. On the way, various mutts and devotees offered bhog to the deities.
The car festival is organised every year by the Jagannath Mandir Trust, which is assisted by Paradip Port Trust management. local police had made elaborate arrangements for proper maintenance of law and order and traffic. Volunteers from Sri Sathyasai Organisation, Sarathi Sevashram, Satsang Vihar, Prajapita Brhama Kumaris, Patnjali Yoga Siksha Samity and other social and charitable organisations distributed water and took care of the sick and aged devotees. Various cultural programmes will be held at the Mausimaa temple till Bahuda Jatra. Reputed artists including Subhash Dash and Manmath Mishra would perform during the event.
Notably, the uniqueness of Paradip Jagannath Mandir is that it is open to people of all religions. Therefore the temple is visited by many foreigners.