The Ratha Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath was celebrated with great pomp and grandeur by Odias and local residents in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States. The Hindu Temple in Warwick, where Lord Jagannath and his siblings are currently worshipped, was beautifully adorned for the occasion. The day began with special religious rituals performed by Priest Somnath Shastri, including the mangala alati in the morning, creating a pious and spiritual atmosphere in the temple. The idols were then taken in a dhadi pahandi procession by servitors and devotees to the elaborately decorated 15-foot-high chariot parked in front of the temple. The floral decoration of the deities and chariot was meticulously done by Shardha Nayak and Sudeepa Nayak, a mother-daughter duo. The air was filled with the enchanting chants of hymns, Hari Bol, and Jai Jagannath, accompanied by the blowing of conch shells and the melodic sounds of ghanta, mardala, jhanja, and mrudanga. Notably, the sight of goddess Subhadra being carried in a swinging manner to the chariot by exclusively lady worshippers was a significant moment during the festival.
The enthusiasm and excitement were palpable among both Odia and non-Odia devotees who had gathered at the venue with their friends, family members, and relatives to participate in the chariot pulling ceremony. People from distant places like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts also flocked to the festival site in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the trinity on the chariot. Renowned philanthropist Subhransu Mohanty conducted the traditional service of sweeping in front of the chariot, known as Chhera Pahanra. The chariot pulling commenced with the rendition of bhajans and kirtans, as the chariot was pulled approximately 1.5 kilometers around the temple compound before being returned to the shrine’s premises. The deities were then offered prasad prepared in the style of Ananda Bazar of Puri. The majestic procession of the deities aboard the chariot through the streets of Warwick was a breathtaking sight and a delight for viewers.
This year’s car festival also featured a captivating cultural extravaganza, including soul-soothing recitals of bhajans by Pragyan Behera, Sunil Kumar Dooda, and Munmun Das, as well as a scintillating Odissi dance performance by Reena Dash in front of the chariot. The entire celebration was a true spectacle of devotion, music, dance, and spiritual fervor.
The Ratha Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath was celebrated with great pomp and grandeur by Odias and local residents in Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States. The Hindu Temple in Warwick, where Lord Jagannath and his siblings are currently worshipped, was beautifully adorned for the occasion. The day began with special religious rituals performed by Priest Somnath Shastri, including the mangala alati in the morning, creating a pious and spiritual atmosphere in the temple. The idols were then taken in a dhadi pahandi procession by servitors and devotees to the elaborately decorated 15-foot-high chariot parked in front of the temple. The floral decoration of the deities and chariot was meticulously done by Shardha Nayak and Sudeepa Nayak, a mother-daughter duo. The air was filled with the enchanting chants of hymns, Hari Bol, and Jai Jagannath, accompanied by the blowing of conch shells and the melodic sounds of ghanta, mardala, jhanja, and mrudanga. Notably, the sight of goddess Subhadra being carried in a swinging manner to the chariot by exclusively lady worshippers was a significant moment during the festival.
The enthusiasm and excitement were palpable among both Odia and non-Odia devotees who had gathered at the venue with their friends, family members, and relatives to participate in the chariot pulling ceremony. People from distant places like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts also flocked to the festival site in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the trinity on the chariot. Renowned philanthropist Subhransu Mohanty conducted the traditional service of sweeping in front of the chariot, known as Chhera Pahanra. The chariot pulling commenced with the rendition of bhajans and kirtans, as the chariot was pulled approximately 1.5 kilometers around the temple compound before being returned to the shrine’s premises. The deities were then offered prasad prepared in the style of Ananda Bazar of Puri. The majestic procession of the deities aboard the chariot through the streets of Warwick was a breathtaking sight and a delight for viewers.
This year’s car festival also featured a captivating cultural extravaganza, including soul-soothing recitals of bhajans by Pragyan Behera, Sunil Kumar Dooda, and Munmun Das, as well as a scintillating Odissi dance performance by Reena Dash in front of the chariot. The entire celebration was a true spectacle of devotion, music, dance, and spiritual fervor.
