Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra today started with religious fervor and enthusiasm from Red Cross Building, Kachi Chawni in the afternoon.
The Rath Yatra was organized by ISKON and conducted under the auspices of Navyogendra Maharaj, ISKON, RGB.
Lord Jagannath, his brother Baldev and sister Subhadra, rode on the chariot, was pulled by the ropes of love by hundreds of devotees irrespective of their caste and religion from all over the State, Punjab, Vrindavan (UP), London (UK), etc, to bring Krishna back in their hearts.
The Rath Yatra, which started from Kachi Chawni amid religious slogans, passed through Prade, Shalamar, Indra Chowk, Jewel, Dogra Chowk, Residency Road, Bus Stand, Rajinder Park area and concluded at Talab Tillo in the evening.
Thousands of devotees thronged the Rath Yatra to seek the darshan of Shri Jagannath, Baldev and Mata Subhadra sitting on the chariot.
Talking to the media persons, Maharaj said Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra is not a festival of only Hindus, as people from all regions, sections and walks of life participated in this. The festival unites the society, he said.
Explaining the significance of Rath Yatra, he said it is bel ieved that on the Rath Yatra Day, Lord Jagannath comes in the streets to embrace everyone even such of his children who are otherwise missing the ambit of His mercy because He is the supreme father, well-wisher and friend of everyone irrespective of race, religion, caste, section or place of birth.
Earlier, in the beginning of the Yatra, Shiva Bhartiya, Executive Member Welfare Committee, welcomed the special guests and dignitaries.
Vikram Malhotra, president, Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra Committee, alongwith Jai Keshav Das, acting president of the Committee, Rohit Bali, general secretary, Surinder Kumar and Sanjeev Kumar, I/C Festival Coordination, Rattan ji, Gaurav Bakshi, Varun Sharma, Sandip Sharma and members were also present on the occasion.
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