CM flags off Rath Yatra in city, festival observed elsewhere

Thousands of devotees from across the world pulled decked-up chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra amid chants of "Hare Krishna" during the annual 'Rath Yatra' organised by the ISKCON here.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid obeisance to Lord Jagannath and other deities at the onset of the Rath Yatra at the ISKCON Temple on Albert Road.
Banerjee tugged the rope of the chariots and flagged off the Yatra as devotees from different corners of the globe sang and danced to the rhythmic beats of cymbals and drums moving through the streets of the city.
The chariot winded through Minto Park, Sarat Bose Road, Hazra Road, S P Mukherjee Road, Exide Crossing, J L Nehru Road, Outram Road to the Brigade Parade Ground, where it would be kept till July 14.

The 'ulta-Ratha Yatra' (return journey) will start on July 14 noon, when the chariots will return to the Albert Road temple.
Cultural programmes, special contests for empowerment, youth festival and performances by Russian dancers and Dona Ganguly Dance Troupe will be held during the festival.

IIT Kharagpur students will hold classes on reducing stress and mental fatigue.
In Mayapur, the ISKCON headquarters, Calcutta High Court Justice Harish Tandon swept the ground before the chariot of Lord Jagannath as a part of the Yatra's tradition.
More than 1,000 foreign devotees from 50 countries and close to one lakh people braved rains to pull the chariot of Lord Jaganannath, Balaram and Subhadra in the temple town in Nadia district.

The devotees danced and sang melodious 'kirtan' on the way to the Gundicha Temple as the chanting of the holy names reverberated in the air of Mayapur.
Rath Yatra was also celebrated with usual fervour and enthusiasm at Mahishadal, Baruipur, Mahesh, Guptipara, Naihati, Rajbalhat and elsewhere in the state.