Devotees in India celebrate Rath Yatra offering prayers to Lord Jagannath

The Chariot festival which has begun today has been celebrated by political leaders in various parts of the country who offered their prayers to the deities.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today visited Iskcon Temple here to offer her prayers to Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the occasion of annual rath yatra.

A troupe of Odishi dancers lightened up the festive spirit with their cultural extravanganza which was witnessed by the chief minister herself.

Earlier today Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Jagannath Temple and offered prayers in Delhi.

While the Gujarat Chief Minister Anadiben Patel flagged off the annual Jagannath Yatra in Ahmedabad with prayers for a good monsoon as thousands of devotees thronged to seek the blessings of deities.

The annual rath yatra of Lord Jagannath has begun across the country on Sunday amidst tight security. This is the 137th Rath Yatra that has begun in Ahmedabad . Millions arrived in Puri for the grand event.

Reports suggest that more than one million devotees from around the world are expected to participate in this colourful yatra to get a glimpse of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra as they are brought out of the temple in Puri .