Agartala, June 27: Agartala joined the nationwide celebration of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra on Friday with spiritual fervor and grandeur, as hundreds of devotees thronged the ISKCON temple to participate in the sacred procession.
The annual Car Festival, symbolizing unity, devotion, and tradition, witnessed the participation of key dignitaries including Tripura Tourism, Food and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and Rajya Sabha MP and BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee.
Both leaders extended their heartfelt wishes to the people, expressing hope that Lord Jagannath’s blessings would lead the nation, state and its citizens toward peace and progress.
The rituals began with the traditional ‘Pahind Vidhi’—the ceremonial sweeping of the path for the chariot—followed by the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra being brought out of the sanctum sanctorum for the procession.
Devotees chanted hymns, played traditional drums, and pulled the ornately decorated chariot, which carried the deities to their maternal aunt’s residence, continuing the age-old tradition associated with the Yatra.
The vibrant atmosphere, marked by spiritual chants and joyous devotion, reinforced the festival’s core message of harmony and divine grace, making it a memorable occasion for the city’s devotees.
Similar rituals were also performed at the historic Jagannathbari temple, where the Rath Yatra has been celebrated since the time of Tripura’s Manikya dynasty.
