Orissa's Chariot Festival lures foreign pilgrims

Puri, July 12 (ANI): A large number of foreign pilgrims converged in Orissa's Puri city on Monday for the annual Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival, which kicks off on July 13.

The grand Rath Yatra will be escorted by congregate of devotees from the country and outside.

The foreign pilgrims are all excited about the festival.

"I read about the Jagannath festival in germon oriah research project from the 70s and is rewritten in 2000. I come here every time. I am happy just for being here, to see Jagganath ji, to see Subhadra and to see Bala Bhadra," said Arvin, a foreign pilgrim.

The pilgrims are roaming in groups here and waiting for the grand day of Chariot Festival outside the temple.

Several foreign devotees are followers of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) and have come here to follow the teachings of their cult followers of lord Jagganath.

"This is the devotion, the devotees have for pulling the ropes of the carts back to the gundicha, what Radha Rani felt when she was away from lord Krishna. Loving separation, that is what we have been taught by our Guru Maa," said another foreign pilgrim. (ANI)