Jagannath Rath Yatra: Citizens shower petals during procession

LUCKNOW: The sound of evening 'azaan', emanating from narrow bylanes of Fatehganj and adjoining areas a day before the commencement of the holy month of Ramzan, set the perfect tone to the origination of the Jagannath Rath Yatra in city's Marwaari Gali. And as the procession proceeded towards its destination amidst the 'azaan', another latent example of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (culture) came up before the people.
Devotees from different walks of life assembled at the congested road to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannath. Some of the residents of Fatehganj devised an unconventional way to offer flowers to the Lord. Instead of jostling for space in front of the Lord's chariot, they showered flower petals on the Lord from their roofs and balconies.
The procession moved towards Naka Hindola and then touched Gurdwara Road, Gautam Buddha Marg, Kaisarbagh, Nazirabad, Aminabad Park and culminated at Marwaari Gali.
Volunteers of Hari Sabha also chanted hymns, praising Lord Jagannath, while taking out the yatra in Maqboolganj, Sundarbagh and adjoining localities, while Navratra Mela Samiti organized a boat ride in Kudighat for Lord Jagannath. Similarly, in the Rath Yatra organized by Shri Bhagwan Jagannath Seva Samiti, volunteers and devotees hailed the Lord as it passed through Kanhaiyalal Road, Kandaha, Tikaitganj, Nehru Cross, Rakabganj, Yahiyaganj Market, Phateshwar Mahadev, Nawabganj Aishbagh Gate, Water Works Road and Aishbagh (IT Colony).
The atmosphere at Motinagar crossing was also euphoric as devotees in large numbers turned to pull the chariot of the Lord as he leaves to visit his maternal aunt's place along with his siblings — Lord Balbhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
The Rath Yatra, which started from Gauriya Mathi, passed through Naka Hindola, Basmandi Chauraha, Latouche Road, Shriram Road, Aminabad, Fatehganj, Naka Hindola, Aryanagar and then ended at Motinagar. At almost 56 places devotees had put up stalls to offer bhog and Prasad to the charioteers.