Stage set for rath yatra of Lord Jagannath on July 18

Jamshedpur: The stage is all set for in the city for the famous wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath for the annual festival, which is scheduled in July 18.

Maintaining the more than seven decade rich tradition, the Rath Yatra Committee of Jugsalai is set to organise a grand �rath yatra� during which the Lord Jagannath was worshipped with his elder brother Bala-Rama and his sister Subhadra.

Artisans from Odisha are busy giving final touches to the wooden chariots. �We are happy to be a part of the auspicious occasion for more than two decades. Though it is a small chariot but still our devotion and passion is no less,� said Soumitra Mahapatra , a carpenter.

He went on to add that for generations� they have been preparing the �rath� for the grand occasion. Devotees appreciate the creative work and this is the best reward they receive.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and other social organisations in the city have come together to celebrate the day with pomp and gaiety and much more religious fervour.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra on July 18 will start from the Agrasen Bhawan and would culminate at the same point after a procession of about two kilometres, sending the messages of communal peace and harmony. The Nabajauban darshan or visit to Lord Jagannath will start on July 17, a day before the yatra.

More than 2000 people are expected to take part in the festival that day. About 400 devotees from Iskcon in Mayapur will come for the celebration of Rathyatra in the steel city.

The Rathyatra�is expected to have nearly 100 vaishnavs from the different centres of ISKCON across the country. The Rath will be the 25 ft high chariot that will be pressed into the service for the yatra that day. The prasad distribution will take place after the yatra culminates to the starting point.

People in the city also look forward to the Rath Yatra at the Naga temple in Beldih Golf course. The chariot from the temple leaves for Mausi Bari in the nearby Tulsi Mandir for a week. The idols here are made of neem wood and are replaced every 12 years. A fair also awaits the festival with the city crowd thronging the spot to celebrate and pull the chariot of Lord Jagannath.

It may be mentioned that similar on lines of Rath Yatra at Puri, the Rath Yatra Committee at Jugsalai has been taking out the march from last 73 years. Such is the popularity of yatra that a place in Jugsalai has been named �rath gali� after it.

People in the city also look forward to the Rath Yatra at the Naga temple in Beldih Golf course. The chariot from the temple leaves for Mausi Bari in the nearby Tulsi Mandir for a week. A fair is also the part of the celebration.