July 15, 2018: All over the State, the Rath Yatra was observed in jovial mood with marked enthusiasm. Dressed in colourful attire, womenfolk displayed celebration of joy and colour during this year’s chariot festival. Overwhelming enthusiasm, celebration highlighting traditions of Tripura’s cultural and religious aspects etc were hallmark of this year’s Rath Yatra.
Under blazing sun, people of Agartala witnessed most ever colourful Rath Yatra today. Unbridled faith amid chanting of Jai Jagannath rented the air. In Agartala ISKCON’s and Jagannath Bari Temple’s Raths pulled large gathering in the capital since afternoon.
With change in Political scenario in the State in favour of saffron party, celebrations of socio-religious and cultural events have become strikingly different with patronage from the ruling Party. Like Book Fair earlier this year, Festival of Chariot also displayed unique band of celebration which was never witnessed before.
This year, ISKCON’s Rath and deities were decorated resembling Puri’s famous Jagannath’s Rath. Roof of chariots were designed with fabric in style with Puri’s Rath while, deities wore ornaments as like Puri.
The Chief Minister Biplab Deb inaugurated ISKCON’s Rath Yatra after performing rituals. Devotees pulled the ropes of chariots. Tribal communities presented traditional art-forms and enthralled the watchers. Devotees sang and dance as the chariots rolled on the road.
Traditional Jagannath Bari Chariot also drew huge devotees. All along both sides of the road, watchers and devotees stood long hours hoping to witness annual sojourn of Jagannath. Despite huge rush, security personnel offered help to elders and children to pull the rope safely. Large number of Police including female Police and TSR jawans were deployed and no untoward incidence was reported.
