Puri: Faith transcended all language and geographical barriers on Thursday as foreign tourists and devotees from across the country joined lakhs of pilgrims on the Bada Danda to witness the world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.Amid global conflicts, visitors from Russia, Europe and Southeast Asia travelled to Puri to catch a glimpse of the Holy Trinity, as the deities came out of the temple for public darshan. Rath Yatra is the only time in the year when the deities emerge, making it a rare opportunity for many non-Hindus to witness them.Russlen, a visitor from Russia, said watching the festival had been a long-cherished dream. “One of my Indian friends had shown me the Ratha Yatra a few years ago. Since then, I wanted to witness it in person. Being here is overwhelming. The energy and devotion of the people are incredible,” he said.Eun-ji Han from South Korea said the scale of the festival was beyond imagination. “I have seen many festivals in my country and abroad too, but this is completely different. So many people are united by faith and the atmosphere is very powerful. Despite the rain, the energy of people and their devotion for Jagannath is unique. I feel lucky to be here,” she said.For many, Rath Yatra was more than a tourist experience. Chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’, the sight of the decorated chariots and the sea of devotees left them visibly overwhelmed. Michael Anderson from the US said the visit changed his perception of Indian spirituality. “I came to Puri out of curiosity, but the moment I saw the chariots and the devotees, I felt the emotion of the festival. This is something I will remember for the rest of my life,” he said.The presence of foreign visitors added an international flavour to the festival, while devotees from Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and southern states reflected the diverse congregation. As chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ echoed across the Bada Danda, Puri once again showcased a festival where faith appeared to know no borders.
