Source: www.thestatesman.net
PURI, INDIA, June 24, 2009: About a million devotees from across the country and abroad thronged the Bada Danda (Grand Road) to witness the annual Rath Yatra of the three deities: Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, here today.
Braving the intense heat, humidity and the security high alert, frenzied devotees chanting “Haribol”, “Jay Jagannath” surged ahead to get a glimpse of the deities swaying out of their temple for their annual sojourn to Gundicha temple on colorfully decorated chariots.
When the deities were brought one by one from the sanctum sanctorum through the Singha Dwar (Lions’ Gate) amidst deafening chants of hymns and the rhythmic beat of traditional instruments, one and all, present on the Bada Danda, irrespective of cast, creed, race, religion, age and nationality, surged forward to witness the proceedings.