Amidst sweltering heat, a sea of devotees on June 20 surged in the coastal town of Puri to witness grand spectacle of Rath Yatra — an annual event in which three deities Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra are taken out in their respective chariots from 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple.
As expected lakhs of people had travelled to the town using different mode of transportation and occupied every conceivable position to have glimpse of the three deities on their chariots, which is considered auspicious.
Though by 11 a.m., the daytime temperature had already soared past 35 degree Celsius and humidity was measured at 69%, people jostled for space on the three-kilometre long road known as Grand Road — the venue of Rath Yatra. In the run up Car Festival of three deities, lakhs of devotees had turned up to have drashan of deities in ‘Naba Jouban’ attire on Monday.
