Visakhapatnam: The spirit of devotion fills the air as Visakhapatnam gears up for its annual Rath Yatra celebrations. Adorned in festive colours, the city awaits a vibrant spectacle of religious processions, cultural performances, and heartfelt prayers on July 7.
The festivities received a symbolic launch on Saturday with Visakhapatnam MP Bharat Mathukumalli inaugurating a special Jagannath Rath Yatra train. This marked the beginning of a series of events leading up to the grand procession on Sunday.
The celebrations are a collaborative effort, with various organisations and communities actively participating.
The Utkal Sanskritic Samaj, representing the Odia community, will spearhead their Rath Yatra on July 7, starting at 4:30 PM from their premises. The traditional 'Chhera Panhara' ritual will commence the yatra, which will then proceed towards Gundicha Temple, reaching by 6:30 PM. The return journey, known as Bahuda Yatra, will be held on July 15, starting at 4 PM and concluding at the Sri Jagannath Temple.
At the heart of the celebrations are the vibrantly decorated idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. These will be majestically carried on chariots amidst the chants and prayers of devotees.
The procession will weave through prominent locations like VUDA Children's Theatre, Andhra University, and Pedda Waltair, creating a mesmerizing blend of faith and cultural vibrancy.
Marking their 17th year of celebrating Rath Yatra, ISKCON Visakhapatnam is gearing up for a grand procession. Scheduled for July 7, their yatra will boast three majestic chariots, each towering 37 feet tall and adorned with intricate floral decorations sourced from Pipili, Odisha.
The procession will commence at 4 PM from VUDA Park on Beach Road, traversing through RK Beach, Kali Mata Temple, Ramakrishna Mission, and All India Radio, before culminating at Gurajada Kalakshetram in Siripuram.
Throughout the day, the rich cultural heritage of the region will be on display with traditional performances by artists from Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha. The festivities will culminate with devotees gathering at Gurajada Kalakshetram for cultural programs, followed by the offering of 501 special dishes to the deities and the grand 'Maha Sandhya Arati' accompanied by the '108 Pradeepam' programme.
