Contributor,
Srinibas Behera
Resident, Concorde Manhattans
Srinibas Behera
Resident, Concorde Manhattans
The residents of Concorde Manhattans (CM) organized a grand Rath Yatra of Prabhu Jagannath inside CM premises on Sunday, the 7th of July, drawing over 1000 devotees.
The 18-foot tall beautiful chariot, adorned with flowers, carried Prabhu Jagannath, his brother Prabhu Balabhadra, and sister Devi Subhadra. The Rath featured colorful appliquéd cloth canopies and exquisite paintings, adding to the visual splendor. The entire Rath design, painting, stitching of the beautiful canopies, flower decoration, and a grand rangoli were meticulously planned and done by CM residents.
After the inauguration aarti/puja, the gods were ceremoniously taken out of the Prachin Ganesh Mandir, which is inside the CM premises, and mounted on the Rath in a custom known as Pahandi. A senior citizen ceremonially swept the Rath with a broom as it commenced its journey. The Rath Yatra traveled through the CM premises and was pulled using ropes by resident devotees before returning to the Prachin Ganesh Mandir.
Devotees offered their services through performing arts, such as rhythmic beating of gongs, Silambam (an Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu), public singing, Yakshagana (a folk dance form from Karnataka), Lezim (a folk dance form from Maharashtra), and Odissi Dance (a classical dance form from Odisha). Cultural programs created a festive ambiance that enhanced the spiritual experience for devotees.
A grand prasadam seva was organized before the yatra, featuring a variety of dishes like Dal, Anna, Besar (sabzi), Khata (Mango chutney), Kheer, and Halwa. CM residents, with the help of devotees from nearby residences, prepared Prasadam starting from the early morning to ensure around 1000 devotees were served on time.
Over 30 security personnel were deployed with an ambulance to ensure safety and the smooth conduct of the event. Traffic arrangements in the premises were altered for the procession. CM residents organized a mega cultural event at the clubhouse, celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage. The event featured exciting folk and classical dances and a series of cultural programs that drew significant participation from the residents.
On Monday, the 15th of July, Dhadi Pahandi rituals of Prabhu Jagannath and his siblings were performed in CM amid religious fervor on the auspicious occasion of Bahuda Jatra. The Trinity was brought out of the Prachin Ganesh Mandir in a procession amid loud chants of ‘Jai Jagannath, Hari Bola’ and the sounds of conchs and ghantas by hundreds of devotees. Following the usual rituals, the pulling of the beautiful Rath by the CM residents started. The Bahuda Yatra traveled through the CM premises before returning to the Prachin Ganesh Mandir.
This was the first Rath Yatra annual event organized by CM residents. It is a replica of the famous Rath Yatra of Puri in Odisha, where Prabhu Jagannath is taken out in a procession on a Rath. The event is considered auspicious and is attended by devotees from all over the world.
The 18-foot tall beautiful chariot, adorned with flowers, carried Prabhu Jagannath, his brother Prabhu Balabhadra, and sister Devi Subhadra. The Rath featured colorful appliquéd cloth canopies and exquisite paintings, adding to the visual splendor. The entire Rath design, painting, stitching of the beautiful canopies, flower decoration, and a grand rangoli were meticulously planned and done by CM residents.
After the inauguration aarti/puja, the gods were ceremoniously taken out of the Prachin Ganesh Mandir, which is inside the CM premises, and mounted on the Rath in a custom known as Pahandi. A senior citizen ceremonially swept the Rath with a broom as it commenced its journey. The Rath Yatra traveled through the CM premises and was pulled using ropes by resident devotees before returning to the Prachin Ganesh Mandir.
Devotees offered their services through performing arts, such as rhythmic beating of gongs, Silambam (an Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu), public singing, Yakshagana (a folk dance form from Karnataka), Lezim (a folk dance form from Maharashtra), and Odissi Dance (a classical dance form from Odisha). Cultural programs created a festive ambiance that enhanced the spiritual experience for devotees.
A grand prasadam seva was organized before the yatra, featuring a variety of dishes like Dal, Anna, Besar (sabzi), Khata (Mango chutney), Kheer, and Halwa. CM residents, with the help of devotees from nearby residences, prepared Prasadam starting from the early morning to ensure around 1000 devotees were served on time.
Over 30 security personnel were deployed with an ambulance to ensure safety and the smooth conduct of the event. Traffic arrangements in the premises were altered for the procession. CM residents organized a mega cultural event at the clubhouse, celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage. The event featured exciting folk and classical dances and a series of cultural programs that drew significant participation from the residents.
On Monday, the 15th of July, Dhadi Pahandi rituals of Prabhu Jagannath and his siblings were performed in CM amid religious fervor on the auspicious occasion of Bahuda Jatra. The Trinity was brought out of the Prachin Ganesh Mandir in a procession amid loud chants of ‘Jai Jagannath, Hari Bola’ and the sounds of conchs and ghantas by hundreds of devotees. Following the usual rituals, the pulling of the beautiful Rath by the CM residents started. The Bahuda Yatra traveled through the CM premises before returning to the Prachin Ganesh Mandir.
This was the first Rath Yatra annual event organized by CM residents. It is a replica of the famous Rath Yatra of Puri in Odisha, where Prabhu Jagannath is taken out in a procession on a Rath. The event is considered auspicious and is attended by devotees from all over the world.
