Rath Yatra celebrated with devotion

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 16: Rath Yatra was celebrated with grandeur at the Shree Shree Govindaji Temple, Imphal today with worshippers in numbers flocking to pull the Jagannath Rath.
Famously called "Konung Kang Chingba" locally, the Rath Yatra at Palace Compound is organised by the Shree Shree Govindaji Temple Board annually.
Governor Ajay Kumar attended the ritual ceremony.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra was celebrated across the valley with people flocking to the streets to pull the Raths (chariots) and seek blessings.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Manipur too celebrated the King Chingba festival with devotees offering prayers at its temple located at Sangaiprou, Imphal West since morning.
After performing a series of rituals and ceremonies at the temples, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were put on a chariot or kang and the same was taken on a procession in the afternoon.
A large number of people offered prayers and pulled the chariot, and joined the procession up to Kwakeithel and back to ISKCON temple.
As the chariot made its way up to Kwakeithel and back, people made offerings at their residential gates.
ISKCON Manipur Development Committee secretary Banamali Das said that the Rath Yatra or Kang Chingba symbolises Lord Jagannath visiting and blessing each and every devotee who cannot come to His abode or temple.
He prayed that this year’s Kang Chingba festival may bring peace, unity and harmony in Manipur.
ISKCON Manipur media coordinator Vrajapran Das (Sanasam Birendra) said that ISKCON Manipur was set up in 1977 and it started celebrating Rath Yatra from 2001.
He said that prasadi (khechri) will be distributed at ISKCON temple, market areas, schools, colleges, Homes and hospitals etc during the nine days of Rath Yatra festival under the banner ‘Food for Life’.
Value-based sessions for youths and students on character building, cultivation of wisdom, inspiring leadership, empowering minds and UN sustainable development goals will be held during the festival, he added.