Bureau, July 8, 2024 - The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, a festival celebrated with grandeur not only in Odisha, India, but also across the globe, saw a magnificent celebration in Alpharetta, Georgia, USA. The expatriate Odia community in Alpharetta came together with great enthusiasm to celebrate this sacred event.
The festival began with the deities of the temple, known as the Chaturdha Murati, coming out to receive the devotion of the followers. Devotees joyously carried the idols on a grand chariot.
During this occasion, the third edition of the annual Odia magazine Nandighosa was unveiled, promoting the rich Odia language and culture. The magazine's e-edition is also available, featuring 14 stories, poems, and discussions on Jagannath culture in both Odia and English.
The celebration witnessed participation not only from the Odia community but also from thousands of non-Odia and local devotees, who joined in seeking blessings from the Chaturdha Murati. Various cultural programs were organized alongside the chariot procession, culminating in the distribution of Mahaprasad (sacred food), marking the end of this annual festival of Lord Jagannath.
