New Delhi: Rath Yatra was celebrated at the main Jagannath Temple of the National capital region (NCR) at Hauz Khas Village here amidst much fanfare and spiritual fervour.
Commencing from the wee hours of the day all the religious rituals were performed with utmost solemnity and devotion.
Since the Rath Yatra was celebrated after two years of corona interruptions unusual enthusiasm was witnessed among the devotees during the occasion.
Around 50,000 devotees gathered to witness the event. The Managing body of the Temple Shree Neelachala Seva Sangha ensured that wearing a mask was a must among the crowd.
Around 11.30 a.m. in the morning the four deities were taken in Pahandi procession to the 25 feet high colourfully decorated chariot stationed at the Grand Road in front of the temple.
With the recital of hymns, chanting of Haribol and Jai Jagannath, sounding of Huluhuli, blowing of conch and playing of musical instruments such as Ghanta, Kartala, Mardala, Jhanja and Mrudanga by the devotees, Secretary of Neelachala Seva Sangha and renowned philanthropist Rabindra Nath Pradhan conducted the traditional sweeping on the chariots called ‘Chherapahanra’. 
Around 2.45 p.m. in the afternoon pulling of the chariot commenced. The chariot having the four deities on board was pulled in Shri Aurobindo Marg for around 2.5 K.M. to Ansari Nagar and then taken back to temple premises in the evening.
Devotees gathered on both sides of the road to have a holy darshan of the Lord of the Universe. The deities will remain on the chariot for public viewing till late in the night. At about 10.00 p.m. all the four deities will be taken to the makeshift aunt house at the basement of the temple.
The grand event was attended by distinguished guests who included Vice-Chairman of NDMC Satish Upadhyay and MLA Somnath Bharati. Laxmi Narayan Bebarta and Dr Sarojini Pani did the live narration of the mega event.
The entire arrangements were smoothly executed and well managed by the members of the Managing Committee.
