Bhubaneswar: The holy Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was celebrated with great devotion at Springdales School, Dubai, on Sunday. The festival was organised by the Emirates Odia Pariwar, UAE.

The Nitikanti (rituals) of the Lord began on July 16 at the Nitai Gaur Ashram in Dubai. On Sunday, more than 2,000 devotees from across Dubai and the UAE participated in the celebrations.

The rituals began at 7 am with the worship of Lord Surya (Sun God), followed by the Nitikanti of all three deities. After the recitation of the Shri Jagannath Ashtakam, Mahamantra Nama Sankirtan (chanting) commenced. This was followed by Mangal Aarti, after which Balabhoga, comprising khechudi (a rice-lentil dish), chuda ghasa (flattened rice bhog), and khaja (a sweet) was offered to the deities and later distributed among devotees.

Amid chants of "Jai Jagannath" by hundreds of devotees, the Pahandi (ceremonial procession) of the three deities and Lord Sudarshan began at 10:45 am in a devotional atmosphere, and the deities were placed atop the chariots by noon.

At 12:10 pm, during the Madhyahna Dhoop (midday offering), the 56 Bhoga (traditional offering of 56 food items) prepared by the organization's women's group was offered to the Lord. This was followed by performances of Geeta Govinda and Devadasi dance in the Odissi style, presented by Odissi dance guru Dola Chakraborty along with Sanvi Mishra, Alisha Senapati, and Abhriti Chakraborthy.

Captain Soumyaranjan Pattanaik conducted the Chhera Pahara ritual (ceremonial sweeping of the chariot path). Following this, the pulling of Lord Jagannath's sacred chariot began amid great festivity, accompanied by "Haribol," ululations, blow of conch, sound of bells, and kirtan (devotional singing).

At 2 pm, the distribution of prasad at Ananda Bazaar commenced. Delicacies such as kanika (sweet rice), plain rice, mitha dali (sweet lentils), potala rasa (pointed gourd curry), shaag mug (greens with lentils), ghanta (mixed vegetable curry), aam khata (sweet-sour mango dish), and kheeri (rice pudding) were distributed among the devotees. Three priests from Patra Caterers of Bhubaneswar had traveled specially to prepare the prasad.

In the afternoon, the organization's vocalists presented traditional devotional bhajans. Following the evening dhoop offering, which included rasagola as bhoga, all programmes concluded as the Lord proceeded to the Mausi Maa temple (aunt's house).

The event was organized under the guidance of Emirates Odia Pariwar advisors Biswanath Panigrahi, Paresh Mahanti, and Priyadarshee Panigrahi, along with President Vidya Bhushan Mahanti and all members.

The organizers thanked the volunteers ("sevaks") and women volunteers from all seven Emirates, as well as devotees of all ages, for their support in upholding the tradition of Lord Jagannath.