 "Puri sees huge congregation on Rath Yatra")
A huge congregation of devotees, estimated at over half a million, thronged the temple town of Puri to witness Rath Yatra, the annual car festival of Lord Jagannath despite drizzle and humid weather.
Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity along with his siblings- brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra and celestial wheel Sudarshan came out from the Jagannath Temple on a nine-day divine sojourn to Gundicha temple, believed to their birth place.
The deities were brought swaying (pahandi) to the chariots from the sanctum sanctorum (Shree Mandir) by the temple priests and servitors amidst playing of conchs and drums, blowing of trumpets and loud chants of 'Hari Bol' and 'Jai Jagannath'.
While Jagannath was ensconced in 'Nandighosh', elder brother Balabhadra was put to the 14-wheeled, 44-feet-high 'Taladhwaja' and Subhadra accommodated in her chariot known as 'Devadalan' with 12 wheels and standing 43 feet high.
Three towering chariots carrying the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and their Subahdra rolled on the Grand Road (Badadanda), the three-km stretch from the Singhadwar to the Gundicha Temple, after the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri Dibyasingha Deb swept the floors of each of the chariots with a golden broom.
Devotees irrespective of caste, creed and religions choked the Grand Road to have glimpse of the deities. Sources said, more than half a million devotees visited Puri on the annual fest.
The deities, who are on nine-day sojourn to Gundicha temple will remain there before being carried back in the Bahuda Yatra (return car festival) on July 14 to their original abode.
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Security personnel were deployed in strength to avoid any untoward incident. As many as 145 platoons of police, 750 police officers, bomb disposal squad and anti-terrorist squad (ATS) were deployed at vital points. Also, 272 CCTV cameras were installed at vantage points of the city.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the occasion of Rath Yatra.
"On the occasion of Rath Yatra, my warmest greetings to you all. May Lord Jagannath continue to shower his blessings on everyone. May the blessings of Lord Jagannath lead to development of villages, well-being of poor & farmers and take India to new heights of progress", the Prime Minister said in a statement.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Governor SC Jamir were among the dignitaries who witnessed the event.
About 40 persons were injured (till the time of compiling this report) as the huge pool of devotees jostled for space.