Bhubaneswar: After shifting to Ireland 21 years ago, Chandra Sekhara Panda, a physiotherapist from Dublin, will be coming to Puri for Rath Yatra for the first time this year. “During my graduation days in Cuttack from 1991-95, I had the opportunity to attend Rath Yatra for 5 years,” said Panda, who will be going to Puri on July 22 and the subsequent days till Niladri Bije and, pull the chariot on Bahuda on July 24.Panda still remembers the experience of seeing the Lord many years ago. “Tears of joy rolled down from my eyes,” he said.Panda, who is active in the Rath Yatra preparations in Dublin, says his main work is to attach the chariot that is stored after being dismantled every year. To carry out his Rath Yatra responsibilities in Dublin, he decided to attend the Bahuda festivities in Puri and planned his travel in March.He will travel to Puri from Bhubaneswar with his parents who are keen on the Lord’s darshan, particularly on Suna Besha. “During Rath Yatra, the Lord himself comes out to meet his devotees. Irrespective of religion, caste and creed, everyone gets to participate in the festivities,” said Panda, describing the beauty of Rath Yatra.The Odia diaspora has been emulating this culture during Rath Yatra in Dublin, celebrating it at a multi-cultural community centre, where members of all Indian communities take part. The preparations start days in advance with children also participating, thus imbibing Rath Yatra traditions.
