Patna: More than two lakh devotees took part in Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Patna on Thursday. The procession began from the Iskcon temple on Budh Marg and was flagged off by CM Samrat Choudhary, who pulled the chariot after performing the traditional ‘chhera panhara’ ritual.Samrat inaugurated the programme by lighting a lamp and offering prayers at the temple. He also swept the route before pulling the rope of the 40-foot-high hydraulic chariot carrying Lord Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra.The yatra commenced after a special puja and maha aarti at around 1pm. Amid chants, conch shells and traditional music, the deities were brought out and placed on the decorated chariot. The procession passed through the Planetarium, Income Tax roundabout, high court, Bihar Museum, Dak Bungalow Square and Maurya Lok before returning to the temple.Devotees from Patna and nearby areas thronged the route, pulling the chariot and chanting “Jai Jagannath” and the “Hare Krishna” mantra. The chariot was adorned with roses, marigolds, orchids and chrysanthemums sourced from Bengaluru, Kolkata and abroad. Cultural performances and kirtan programmes added to the festive atmosphere.A crane was used to offer 108 dishes near Dak Bungalow, while a 56-bhog offering was made near the high court. Volunteers distributed water, sherbet and fruit prasad, and a feast for more than 20,000 people was organised at the temple in the evening.Iskcon functionary Raman Manohar Das felicitated Samrat with a shawl and memento. Nand Gopal Das, communications head of Iskcon Patna, said the yatra conveyed a message of peace and harmony.Later, Samrat joined another Rath Yatra at Thakurbari in Gardanibagh organised by the Bihar State Religious Trust Council.Police maintained tight security along the route. Despite the arrangements, thieves allegedly stole cellphones belonging to more than a dozen devotees and gold chains from two women. Police said an investigation was underway.
