Summary:
This year, the higlight was three chariots in a single procession. Celebrated with joy, people from in and around the city assemble together to carry out the procession. Processions have been carried out in Visakhapatnam since 1993 because of the presence of a large number of Odias.”Arun Das from the Odia community said, “The festival helps us feel connected to our roots and hometown. It is said that the deities go to their aunt’s place and savour the delicacies prepared by her and stay there for nine days before commencing their return journey, called Bahuda Yatra.J K Nayak, president, Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, said, “This is the miniature version of the Jagannath Rath Yatra that takes place in Puri. The procession was flagged off after the Chhera Pahanra (traditional sweeping of the chariot’s floor with a golden broom) by Lal Saheb Pramod Bhanja Deo of the erstwhile Daspalla royalty at the Jagannath Temple in Daspalla hills.The chariot was pulled by devotees as the procession passed through Daspalla hills, VUDA Children’s Theatre AU Gate, Park Hotel, and VUDA Park to the Gundicha Temple in Lawson’s Bay Colony..