Jagannath Odia Assiciation of Indiana Celebr:ates Ratha Yatra at Indianapolis

By Shiba Kumar Patnaik, Indianapolis, USA

Indiana, U.S.A(29/06/2025;In 2015, for the first time, the Jagannath Rath Yatra was celebrated in the State of Indiana. Jagannath Odia Association of Indiana(JOAI) has been instrumental in organizing the festival every year at Hindu Temple of Central Indiana(HTCI). The day starts with Bhajan Samaroha, where community members immerse themselves in devotion, singing soulful Bhajans (devotional musical pieces) in front of the Lord, that transports you to a different world altogether. Jagannath Puja is performed, and then the three deities grace the giant Chariot amid chants of “Jai Jagannath,” which creates a surreal atmosphere. The “Chhera Pahanra” ritual is performed, after which Devotees pull the Chariot with the help of a sacred rope attached to the Rath. Once the Deities are brought inside the Temple, Prasad is served to all those who are present there on this auspicious day. For seven days, community members visit the Temple with prasad, which is served to the Lord during the evening Aarti. The eight-day Bahuda Yatra marks the end of this week-long festival.