The Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is celebrated with great pomp and splendour in Odisha. The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is said to be the ubiquitous divine master of the cosmos. The Yatra is the biggest one not only in India but in the world. Millions of devotees from around the world throng to be part of the grand celebration.
It is not just a festival but a cultural extravaganza, which celebrates the beauty and flavours of Indian culture. The Saha Charitable Trust provided free food to more than one lakh devotees in its mission during the festival in Puri. Appreciating the trust’s endeavour, the State Government allotted a place at a prime location adjacent to the Gundicha Temple. The Trust under the guidance of its chairperson Shanta Jiban Baba, in coordination with the district administration, commenced its services from Netrotsav Day, June 19, and continued free distribution of foods (24x7) till Sunabesha, June 29.
A dedicated team of over 70 volunteers were serving devotees at a specialised stall adjacent to the Gundicha Temple. The devotees were offered freshly-prepared traditional Odia meals besides tiffins which included rice, Dalma and Khatta, Suji, Puri, Gulgula interspersed with curry.
Trust Chairperson Shanta Jiban Baba said, “We tried our best to provide fresh and healthy meal to the needy and devotees by the grace and blessing of Maha Prabhu Jagannath so that everybody coming to participate in this grand festival had their full meal. We ensured that none went hungry during Rath Yatra. We have completed twelve years in our mission of providing free foods to the devotees during the Rath Yatra.”