After the lord Biswakarma Puja, the Rath Yatra is the next important cultural festival in the port town here which was celebrated with much pomp and show on June 29 last.
The Chhera Panhara was done by Jagannath Mandir Trust president and Paradip Port Trust (PPT) Chairman Sudhansu Shekhara Mishra. The deities seated in a well decorated chariot were taken in a procession amidst a huge turnout of devotees. The road where the chariot rolled on resounded with traditional Hulahuli and Haribol chanting.
The chariot started from the main Jagannath temple at around 3 pm and reached the Mausimaa temple at 5.45pm. On the way, representatives of various mutts and devotees offered pujas and prasads to the deities.
The festival is organised every year by the Jagannath Mandir Trust assisted by the PPT management. The Paradip police had made elaborate arrangements for the law and order situation and traffic management.The volunteers from Sri Sathyasai Organisation, Sarathi Sevashram, Satsang Vihar, Patnjali Yoga Shiksha Samity, Tigers Club, Paradip Tent House association and other social and charitable organisations distributed water and took care of the sick and aged devotees.
On different days during stay of the lords at the Mausimaa temple, eloquent speaker Rajat Kumar Kar, renowned singers Prafulla Kar, Mahaprasad Kar, Kumar Bapi, Saurabh Naik and Nazia Alam participated in cultural programmes, besides the local artists.
Various competitions such as debate, essay writing, art and quiz were held among school students and the winners were awarded by the Jagannath Samaj. The lords returned to the main temple on the Bahuda Yatra held on July 7 amidst a series of rituals too.The weather was conducive for celebrations on both the dates of the festival. The uniqueness of Paradip Jagannath Mandir is that it is open to all religions.
Therefore, the temple is visited by many foreigners who come in the cargo ships to the port. This year’s Car Festival too was attended by many foreigners from the ships which were berthed in the Paradip Port besides thousands devotees from port town and nearby villages.