The most awaited festival of Sri Tara / Sri Balabhadra Subhadra Jagannath Thakur Nabakalebara Rath Yatra or Chariot Festival was celebrated at Vijaya Durga Kali Temple, Burlington on Saturday, 18th July 2015. The celebration took place on the very same day when this celebration is conducted at Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orrissa. The celebration was ordered by Sri. Bhavani Athmaram, the head priest and founder of Sree Vijaya Durga Kali Temple.

The event started with Ganehadi Devata Puja, Rath Puja and Sri Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath Ratha Arohan. The deities were carried to the specially built Rath (Chariot) for the Rath Yatra. The highly decorated chariot with various designs and paintings was the highlight of the event.

The famous festival commences with a spectacular procession elder brother Balabhadra , sister Devi Subhadra, Sri Tara and lastly Lord Jagannath, and out of the temple to the chariot. The chariot with the all of Thakurs was brought out to the Wilmington Street leading to Boston Road. Devotees pulled the Rath 1.5 miles on Wilmington Street with Bhajans and Sankirtan before the chariot is returned to the temple.  The event was follwed with the puja and decoration of the lords for special Suna Besha darshan, Arati, Puspanjali and cultural programs. Odissi Dance seva was performed for Lord Jagannath. Smt.Srabonti Bandopadhyay and Smt.Jayashree Kar and her students presented oddissi seva to the lord.

The event concluded with the Mandir prabesh of the deities, Ratna Bedi Aadhishtito darshan, Aarti and Maha Prasad. The festival was witnessed by numerous devotees, who participated in the entire Ratha Yatra to offer their prayers and seek lord’s blessings.

The event gallery can be viewed at srikali.org. The present Suna Besha darshan of the lord can be availed till 4th Aug.

Sri Jagannath Blessings to all !

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