PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
The eighth annual Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra will be organised in Dehradun on July 16 by the Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Namahatta Shri Jagannath Temple Seva Trust. Addressing the media on Monday, the trust’s president Lokanath Das said that the annual festival aims to spread the message of love, equality, brotherhood, selfless service and Harinam Sankirtan.
He said that the programme will commence at 11 AM with Mangalacharan, Harinam Sankirtan and the inaugural ceremony at Litchi Bagh followed by the distribution of Shri Jagannath Mahaprasad at noon. The Rath Yatra will be flagged off at 2 PM from Litchi Bagh and proceed towards Johdi village.
He said that devotees along the route will witness Harinam Sankirtan, devotional bhajans and the darshan of Lord Jagannath. About 5,000 devotees are expected to participate in the procession this year. Appealing to devotees, youth, families and social organisations to join the event, he said that Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra symbolises the lord coming among the people to bless everyone equally, irrespective of caste, creed or background.
