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Time of India

Rath Yatra celebrated in Nigeria, Malawi

1 2 3 Rourkela: Lagos in Nigeria and Blantyre in Malawi witnessed vibrant Rath Yatra celebrations on June 27 and 28 respectively, bringing together the Odia diaspora and other Indian communities in Africa. In Lagos, the festival was organised by Odia Samaj Association of Nigeria (OSAN), drawing over 1,000 devotees who pulled the chariot of Lord Jagannath through the city streets amid singing of devotional songs and traditional dances. As part of the festival, prasad prepared by samaj members was distributed to devotees. "The festival brought our community together and strengthened our bond. We are grateful to everyone who participated and made it a grand success," said Prasant Das, president of OSAN. Vice-president Anant Sabat added, "We are committed to preserving and promoting our cultural heritage." In Blantyre, the chariot procession was organised by Odia Samaj Malawi in collaboration with Iskcon Blantyre and supported by the local Indian community. Starting at Old Town Hall, devotees in colourful attire chanted bhajans and pulled a decorated chariot accompanied by the sounds of conches, drums and devotional music. The yatra concluded at Shree Hindu Temple, where deities were welcomed with traditional dances and devotional songs, followed by a cultural programme featuring classical performances, songs and skits celebrating India's spiritual heritage. Around 800 devotees received prasad prepared by samaj members. "The celebration served not just as a religious event but also as a vibrant expression of Indian culture in Africa," said Akshaya Kumar Badajena, chairperson of Odia Samaj Malawi told TOI. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!