The sacred city of Puri has once again become a spiritual epicenter as the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra enters its second day. This centuries-old celebration, also known as the Gundicha Yatra or Chariot Festival, holds immense religious significance, drawing devotees from across India and around the globe.
Lord Jagannath Begins His Journey to Gundicha Temple
In a symbolic departure from their sanctum, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are carried in massive, ornately decorated wooden chariots toward the Gundicha Temple, where they will stay for nine days. The act of pulling the chariots is considered a deeply sacred offering, believed to cleanse sins and invite divine blessings.
Global Devotees Express Their Joy and Gratitude
For many, attending the Rath Yatra is the fulfillment of a lifelong spiritual aspiration. A visitor from West Africa, attending for the first time, sharedGaurangi Devika Das, a long-time foreign resident of India, remarked:
Personal Pilgrimage: Indian Devotees Find Peace and Fulfillment
Devotees from different parts of India, such as Parna from Kolkata, describe their experience as spiritually enriching:
