Sailashree Vihar set to celebrate festival with devotion
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Bhubaneswar: Preparations for Rath Yatra at Sailashree Vihar in Bhubaneswar have entered the final stage as organisers are leaving no stone unturned to complete all arrangements in time.
The celebrations, deeply rooted in tradition and spirituality, are set to draw thousands of devotees from the neighbourhood, all eager to participate with fervour and devotion. Rath Yatra at Sailashree Vihar offers a more intimate setting, allowing locals to immerse themselves in the spiritual essence of the festival. The festival is unique in its inclusivity, with people of all ages, especially women, participating in large numbers.
The annual journey of deities to Sri Gundicha Temple, originally Maa Mangala Temple at Niladri Vihar, located about 1km away, is a significant event where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra reside for nine days before returning to their sanctum sanctorum during Bahuda Yatra.
Local artisans have been diligently crafting the chariot, with final colouring and clothing being applied. The 40-ft high chariot becomes the focal point of the celebrations.
by Taboola
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"The temple was set up and Rath Yatra began in 2003. There is always a different feeling when the holy trinity comes out of the temple to bless the devotees. We are completing all preparations on time," said Hemant Mohapatra, managing trustee of Sri Jagannath Bhakti Trust.
The trust, which manages the day-to-day affairs of the temple as well as Rath Yatra, is keeping a special focus on security during the festival. Like 2024, the trust plans to deploy additional volunteers for the inner and outer cordon of the chariot during Rath Yatra.
As the chariot is pulled, the air resonates with the sounds of bhajans, drums and conch shells, creating an atmosphere of divine celebration. Beyond the procession, the temple trust plans to organise cultural programmes, prasad distribution and spiritual discourses.
Organisers said these side events are set to enrich the festival's experience. Residents are actively engaged in organising, decorating and managing the event, showcasing a vibrant display of devotion and community spirit.
Priests of the temple are performing the rituals while the deities remain in Anasara Gruha. The priests are providing medicines to cure the deities ahead of their annual sojourn.
"Rath Yatra in our locality is more than a festival. The festival brings people together, transcending age and background, in a shared celebration of devotion and spirituality. We are successfully holding the festival with the blessings of the Lord," Gopal Pattnaik, secretary of the trust, said.
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