Taking part in the holy Rathyatra of lord Jaggannathji in Shridevsuman Nagar of Dehradun on Saturday, Chief Minister Harish Rawat wished happiness and prosperity for the State and its natives. “I am elated to be a part of the yatra of lord Jagannath,” an emotionally overwhelmed Chief Minister said.
Rawat offered puja and cleaned the path of Rath Yatra in keeping with the hoary traditions associated with the festival of carts. He said he was praying to lord Jagganath for the prosperity of the State and its people. “We treasure our state’s culture that champions peace, universal fraternity and the inclusive spirit embracing all faiths and cultures. These must be kept alive and further enriched. We must celebrate other’s festivals and vice versa. This would in its turn strengthen the golden bond that keeps India as one despite benumbing diversity,” he said.
Citing Holy Rathyatra of lord Jagganathjii and Id-Ul-Fitar being celebrated the same day, he said it is happy coincidence. “It gives the divine message that we must share our happiness and culture with others in a spirit of an invincible oneness-something that the unique Indian culture epitomises,” he said . State Congress president Kishore Upadhyay, MlA Harbans Kapoor and Ganesh Joshi aside from thousands of devotees were present on the occasion.