Bhubaneshar hosts Puri's Lord Jagannath

Bhubaneshwar (Orissa) March 23 : A large number of Lord Jagannath devotees had an opportunity to witness rituals performed at the Jagannath Temple of Puri, in Bhubaneshwar during a week-long special event organized here.

"This was for the first time that the rites and rituals that go with the Jagananath Temple are being performed outside Puri," Chief Priest Surya Narayan Rath Sharma.

"Several other rites, which are not in practice today, are also being conducted during this spiritual convention-- Jagannath Chetana Maha Adhibesan," he added.

The main objective of the congregation was to familiarize people with religious aspects of Sri Jagannath culture.

The event that started on Tuesday (March 18) included an exhibition of all the articles used by Jagannath like the Lord's 32dresses, 56 varieties of Prasad (the sacred food offered to God) also attracted a hordes of devotees here. Besides, a discourse on the Jagannath culture and a camp for students were also organized.

Earlier, the event had commenced with the religious processions such as "Durga Medha Yatra" and "Kalash Yatra".

" We want to propagate the culture of Lord Jagannath across the world. This is a beginning. If the God wished, this event would be organised in future too. We believe God is omnipresent," said Surya Narayan Sharma, the Organiser of Jagannath Chetana Maha Adhibesan.

"I have all the way from Puri, actually even while staying in Puri we miss out on some Vesha (Dress) of the lord but after coming here I have been able to see all the Vesha's under one roof. Moreover we haven't seen Yagya's (Hindu fire ritual) being performed at Puri but I witnessed it here that's why I'm here," said Gayatri Mishra, a devotee from Puri.

Devotees from across the country and Bhubaneshwar, in particular, were thrilled to enjoy this unique event. Sarada Lahangir

ANI