Manipur celebrates 'Rath Yatra' with full enthusiam

Imphal, June 27 (UNI) The fragnance of flowers and incense filled the air along with the sounds of conch shells and hymns of the devotees as they danced to their tunes when Lord Jagannath along with sister Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra travelled on Raths on the ocassion of Rath Yatra here on Manipur.

Thousands of devotees clad in religious attires thronged the Sri Sri Govindajee temple to witness this historic festival and pulled the gigantic Rath with the help of massive ropes tied to the chariot.

The festival began in Manipur in the first part of the 19th century when the then Manipuri princes in exile witnessed the festival in other parts of India and introduced it in the state.

No other Raths are allowed to be pulled until the one at the Govindajee temple sets off.

The streets at every nook and corner of the state are cleaned with water before the chariot is pulled.

The celebration continues for eight days and every night the enthused devotees sing songs in the glory of the Lord till the day of 'Purna Yatra'.

The government has declared a public holiday today and tightened security arrangements, especially around the Shri Shri Govindajee temple, so that the festival goes on without any hinderance.

UNI NS PP PL RN1426