Rath-Yatra... The Car Festival!!

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[b][/b]Today is world famous 'Rath-Yatra' or 'The Car Festival'! At Purusottam Kshetra Puri in my state Orissa, many lakhs of people from all around the country assemble here to visit this once a year festival of deities Shree Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Shree Jagannath. The three chariots of Shree Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Shree Jagannath move from the front of ShreeMandir (Main tempe of Puri) to ShreeGundichaa Mandir (Gundichaa temple), about 2.5 kms on the Badadaanda (grand-road) of Puri and the deities stay at ShreeGundichaa Mandir for nine days! This whole period is called the time of Rath-Yatra and the city of Puri more becomes an attractive place of visit for lakhs of people during this period of the important festival! All the worship rituals of the deities are carried at the ShreeGundichaa Mandir during this period. Not only at Puri, but in many places in India and outside India, this festival is also celebrated with real spiritual alertness among the devotees and people! By this time, the national broadcaster 'All India Radio' has started its direct-view running commentry from its broadcasting stations of Puri, Cuttack, Sambalpur and many other places. Also, the view of this festival is direct telecast by 'Doordarshan' and many other local tv channel operators. In this occasion of auspicious Rath-Yatra, may Lord of the Universe protect humanity with 'Peace, Progress and Prosperity'! "Shree Jagannath Swamee Nayana patha Gaamee Bhabatu Mein" - May Lord of Universe occupy my path of vision! Jai Jagannath! Jai Jagannath!! Jai Jagannath!!!