PATNA: Thousands of devotees participated in Jagannath Rath Yatra organised by the Patna unit of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) on Saturday.The 40-feet tall chariot with beautiful idols of deities Jagannath (a form of Lord Vishnu), Baldev and Subhadra was flagged off by Iskcon chairman L N Poddar from the temple premises.The priests conducted the prayer before installing the idols of deities on the chariot which was decorated with flowers, garlands, leaves and ribbons. A horse, an elephant and a camel were also parts of the procession. The procession accompanying the chariot played devotional songs with drumbeat, trumpets and ‘kartal’ (brass cymbals).The air reverberated with chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’, ‘Jai Baldev’, ‘Jai Subhadra’ and ‘Hare Rama and Hare Krishna’.“Devotees pulled the ropes of the chariot as it is considered an auspicious act. They welcomed the lord by showering flowers and danced to show their love for Lord Krishna. The Rath Yatra is carried out to spread the message of love, harmony and prosperity,” said Poddar.The Rath Yatra passed through Exhibition Road, Dak Bungalow roundabout, Gandhi Maidan and Ram Ghulam Chowk before returning back to Iskcon temple. Prasad, water and juice were served to devotees from the makeshift stalls at various locations en route the Yatra. A prayer ceremony was conducted on Exhibition Road.In the evening, ‘bhajan’, ‘kirtan’ and ‘aarti’ were performed at the Iskcon temple. The ‘kirtan’ was conducted by Mahavishnu Swamijee from London.Iskcon-Patna chairperson Krishna Kripa Das said the Yatra was a grand success.

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