PURI, ORISSA, INDIA, July 17, 2007: An estimated million people Monday witnessed the world famous Rath Yatra, the annual chariot festival, with devotees driven to a frenzy to catch a glimpse of the triad of Hindu Deities in this eastern Indian seaside town. In the morning at about 9.30 a.m. the Deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra – came out of their 12th century abode amidst chants of hymns and the rhythmic beat of traditional instruments. The devotees surged forward for a glimpse of the Lords on three chariots as fine sunny weather greeted the huge crowds. Devotees danced to the beats of gongs and chants of ‘Haribol’ and ‘Jai Jagannath’ as the three gigantic chariots – Taladhwaja, Nandighosha and Devadalana – rolled down the Grand Road. The chorused chant of hymns, beating of the traditional drums and other musical instruments and the roar of the teeming crowds were loud enough to drown the roar of the waves by the seashore.
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