Puri: Neither the steady drizzle nor financial hardship to afford a hotel bed could dampen Parakhita Mohanta’s faith. The farmer from Keonjhar district, armed with an umbrella, a small bag of flattened rice, biscuits and a water bottle, staked out a corner along the Grand Road on Wednesday, determined to witness the Rath Yatra the next morning.“I am not worried about rain or accommodation. I will sleep on the Grand Road. My only wish is to see the Lord’s chariots roll,” said Mohanta, his eyes fixed on the temple gates.Elsewhere, devotion took many forms. Pragyan Das and her friends from Dhenkanal swept the stretch before Gundicha temple, insisting the path must be spotless when the sibling deities arrive at their birthplace. Across the Grand Road, groups of devotees broke into chants of Jai Jagannath to the rhythm of cymbals and gongs, while artists bent over intricate rangolis.The avenue itself has turned into a vast canvas. More than 70,000 square feet of traditional jhoti-chita floor art now adorns the temple frontage, dazzling pilgrims and visitors alike. Though the art form in villages relies on rice paste, here waterproof paints ensure the motifs endure the festival’s bustle and rain. “We have worked day and night to complete this. It is our offering to the Lord,” said artist Tarun Swain, his palms stained with colour.Together, these multi-hued acts of devotion capture the fervour of countless devotees thronging Puri for the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and goddess Subhadra. On Thursday, the three towering chariots will roll down the 3-km Grand Road amid a million cheers.The fervour has spilled beyond the temple town’s arteries. On the beach, waves of people gathered in sankirtan, their chants rising with the sea breeze. “Words fall short to describe our excitement. Watching Rath Yatra on TV is never the same as being here. Seeing the Lord at his abode is bliss,” said Prabhu Biswas, a troupe member from Kolkata who has returned year after year.For many, the pilgrimage is as much about endurance and devotion. “Even if it rains, I will not move. The Lord himself will protect me,” said 65-year-old devotee Kanchanbala Nayak from Angul district. Her son Ankit Sahu, a student, said: “This is my first Rath Yatra. My mother told me the sight of the chariots is unforgettable. I want to carry that memory forever.”
