INDIA: After two years of muted festivities owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, chariots were pulled out on Friday for the Rath Yatra event, drawing large crowds to the streets in various locations throughout West Bengal.
Political party leaders from both the Trinamool Congress (party in power) and the BJP, which is in opposition, participated in the festivities separately.
On the occasion of the Rath Yatra, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee each sent their wishes to the state’s residents.
In South Kolkata, Banerjee opened the Rath Yatra of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Three 30-foot chariots were being drawn by people on B T Road at Belgharia nearby while TMC leader and Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra were present.
Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition, led the worshipers at Marishda in the Purba Medinipur district, while BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar pulled a chariot in the Cossipore neighbourhood of north Kolkata.
At Mahesh in the Hooghly district, almost a lakh people gathered to pull the fabled chariot that contained the three sibling deities Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath
Despite the organisers’ and the administration’s requests, the majority of them chose not to wear masks while COVID-19 cases are on the rise.
“The centuries-old Mahesh Rath is once again back in its former splendour this year after muted festivities for the last two years,” according to one of the Jagannath temple’s priests.
Numerous other areas in Kolkata were devoid of chariots thanks to various organisations. Children ran around the state in miniature chariots.
“On the auspicious day of Rath Yatra, Praying Lord Jagannath for everlasting peace, prosperity, good health, and happiness for all,” the governor tweeted.
In a Twitter post, the chief minister said, “Jai Jagannath! Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Ratha Yatra, the mighty move of the Lord, embracing all castes and creeds. May He bless us all.”
