IndiaPost.com - Oriya Community celebrates Rath Yatra with fanfare

CHICAGO: For the third year in a row, the Oriya community, the people from the famed land of Lord Jagannath, came together in the Chicago area for the historic Rath Yatra of the revered Lord at the Hari Om Temple last week. More than three hundred devotees including dignitaries like Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri, wife Usha Attri, AIA President Naren Patel, attended the puja and the pahandi (ritual journey of the gods) followed by Chera Panhara (symbolic cleansing) and pulling of the chariot.

Attri performed the ritual cleansing of the road that would be the Lords’ way to move in their chariot. According to tradition the Gajapati Maharaj - king of Orissa, the devout humble servant of the Lord cleans the road with a golden broom that commences the movement of the chariot. "We feel honored for having the Consul General performs this sublime act of devotion," said Nilamadhab Nanda, President of OSA Chicago.

Jagannath, the presiding deity of Srikeshtra, Puri, one of the sacred four Dhamas/pilgrimages for Hindus, is dearest to the Vaishnavs. Known otherwise as Daru Devata (wooden god) on this special occasion comes out of his sanctum and devotees across caste, creed and religion get an unique occasion to have a glimpse of the lord of the universe. Reiterating this message of universal brotherhood AIA president Naren Patel said, "As Hindus we should be proud of our religion’s message of peace and love.

We should carry this message of our great religion to the main stream America." Children from the community presented a colorful cultural program centering on the Jagannath culture of Orissa. The program started with an immaculate Gita chanting by Shivansh Padhi. Ankita Khandi performed a spectacular Odissi dance, Saurav Pattnaik, Samir Mishra and Shivansh Padhi played the tabla, Anisa (Barby) Nanda, Simran Sahoo and Ashley Sahoo presented a folk dance praising the Lord and Rina Mahapatra, Sikha Panda presented bhajans and Lorie Khuntia performed a devotional dance number . The colorful cultural program was coordinated by Padmini Khuntia.

"The Oriya community this year formed Sri Jagannath Society of Greater Chicago (SJSGC) that would work exclusively towards the preservation and promotion of the Jagannath tradition" said Salil Mishra, secretary of the Orissa Society. The organizers have come so far with the unflinching support of volunteers from the community.

Most of them are busy professionals and technocrats who have contributed immensely towards fulfilling the dream of their people. Not left far behind are the Oriya ladies. From making delicious traditional Prasad to serving lassi to the devotees in the hot afternoon, they showed a unique instance of sisterhood.