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Over 3,000 devotees
participated in the annual Rathyatra celebration organized by
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Kolkata, on 4 July 2008.
At 3.00 pm the
Rathyatra began with the Vedic pujan of the murtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam
Maharaj, Shri Jagannathji, Shri Balbhadraji and Shri Subhadraji,
in the main 35-ft. high rath (chariot), by senior sadhus, Pujya
Ishwarcharan Swami and Bhagwatpriya Swami.
Then the procession was flagged off by chief guests, Shri Vikram
Ghosh (renowned musician), Shri Dineshbhai Trivedi (MP) and
others pulling the rath.
Thereafter, devotees took turns to pull the rath through the
streets of Kolkata. Thousands of onlookers witnessed the procession.
The devout atmosphere was enhanced by the devotees of Orissa,
who had come specially to sing bhajans in their unique, traditional
style.
The procession
concluded at 7.00 pm outside the BAPS mandir on Chakraberia
Road, where the final arti was performed.
To know more about
this festival, click Rath
Yatra |
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