Pune: The central area of Pune resonated with the chants of "Hare Ram, Hare Krishna" and "Jai Jagannath, Jai Balram, Jai Subhadra" as thousands of devotees gathered for the Jagannath Rath Yatra organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Pune.

Following the grand celebrations of the Rath Yatra in Jagannath Puri, Odisha, this major festival is held annually in Pune, marking its eighth year. The event drew participants not only from Maharashtra but also from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bengal, and Odisha, who joined in with traditional musical instruments.

The yatra commenced at the premises of SP College, inaugurated with an aarti by dignitaries including MP Medha Kulkarni, Maharashtra's Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, MLAs Madhuri Misal and Bhimrao Tapkir, Maharashtra Goseva Commission Chairman Shekhar Mundada, and Rajesh Pandey, a member of the advisory board of Savitribai Phule Pune University.

ISKCON leaders such as Sannyasis P.P. Krishna Chaitanya Swami, Prabodhananda Swami, and temple president Radheshyam Prabhu were also present.

The 20-foot-tall chariot, carrying the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev, and Subhadra, was beautifully adorned with flowers and colorful fabrics.

Following the yatra, the deities were offered a traditional feast of 56 different food items, followed by an aarti ceremony. Throughout the procession route, volunteers distributed over 100,000 packets of prasadam to the attendees.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra holds immense significance as it symbolizes Lord Jagannath, Lord Balram, and Subhadra coming out to bless the people. While millions gather in Jagannath Puri to witness this event, not everyone can travel there.

Hence, ISKCON's founder, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, initiated the Rath Yatra worldwide to spread Lord Jagannath's grace across the globe.