New Delhi : The Annual Car Festival was celebrated by the largest Jagannath Temple of Chhattisgarh at Gayatri Nagar in Raipur with pomp, splendour and massive fanfare. The Mega Ceremony hosted by Shree Jagannath temple Seva Samiti witnessed the congregation of more than a lakh Odia and Non Odia Devotees from Raipur and adjoining areas. In the morning religious rituals were performed before the Deities in the Temple amidst spiritual fervour. Special Havan was organised here to invoke the blessings of the God. After the conclusion of Havan at around 11.45 p.m. the Pahandi Bije of God Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra, Debi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were conducted by servitors to the three aesthetically and elegantly decorated Chariots parked in the Grand Road in front of the Temple. The entire atmosphere got reverberated with the recitals of hymns, roaring of slogans like Haribol and Jai Jagannath, sounding of Huluhuli, blowing of conch and playing of musical instruments such as Ghanta, Kartala, Mardala, Jhanja and Mrudanga by the devotees. Unusual interest, unexpected enthusiasms and unprecedented excitements were visible among the Organisers and participants of the Grand Celebration. The Temple management Committee under the active supervision of its Founder President and Local MLA Purandar Mishra had made proper arrangements to control the crowd, to maintain discipline and to distribute Mahaprasad in large scale.
Governor of Chhattisgarh Ramen Deka did the job of Chherapahanra. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai helped him to undertake the job. Other distinguished dignitaries present include Lady Governor Rani Deka Kakoti, State Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma, Former Minister and M.P. Brij Mohan Agrawal, CM’s Daughter Smriti Sai, MLAs Guru Khushwant Sahab, Dharamlal Kaushik, Motilal Sahu and Chairman, State Nagrik Apurti Nigam Sanjay Srivastava.
At around 3.00 p.m. the pulling of Chariots commenced. The spectacular view of Royal Sojourn of the Gods and Goddess on board the colourful chariots were memorable and mesmerising. The Sea of Humanities assembled here were at their devotional and emotional best to have a holy glimpse of the Broad round eyes of the Black Lord from atop the Nandighosh Chariot. The occasion of union of Lord of the universe with common masses was unique and unforgettable. The chariots were pulled till 1 km to B.T.I ground and then taken back to Temple premises via Shankar Nagar Police Station. At around 6.00 p.m. The Gods and Goddess were taken to Aunt’s House situated at the Basement of the Temple in a procession.
This year’s Car Festival was well organised and smoothly conducted under the able and active guidance of the custodians of the Temple Management Committee like President Purandar Mishra, Members Manmath Kumar Raut, Subrat Sahoo, Subhaash Agrawal, Gopal Agrawal, Dwarikadheesh Mishra, Gunanidhi Mishra, Prakash Das, Ashok Dubey and Lalit Pradhan.
All BJP leaders and workers of Raipur City North constituency including women, youth and corporators have helped and co-operated for the thumping success of Rath Yatra.
