Over 1,000 devotees gathered in Slough, United Kingdom, to celebrate the annual Rath Yatra festival, in an event marked by deep spiritual fervour and vibrant cultural expressions. The celebrations were organised by the Shree Jagannatha Society UK, with active support from the Indian diaspora.
In a highlight of the event, India’s Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Sujit Ghosh, performed the revered Chhera Paharna ritual, where the chariot of Lord Jagannath is ceremonially swept as a symbol of humility, service, and equality before the divine.
Sharing the moment on X (formerly Twitter), the High Commission of India in London wrote: “DHC @sujitjoyghosh participated in the Grand Ratha Yatra in Slough, organised by @JagannathaUK. He performed the sacred Chhera Paharna ritual. Over 1,000 devotees joined the celebrations.”
The Jagannath Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival, is one of the most sacred and widely celebrated events in the Vaishnav tradition. It commemorates Lord Jagannath’s annual journey from the main temple in Puri, Odisha, to the Gundicha Temple, believed to be the home of his aunt.
This year’s Rath Yatra began on June 27 in Puri and will conclude on July 1, with the return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra to their original abode. Similar celebrations were echoed across Indian diaspora communities worldwide.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion, writing on X: “May this holy festival of faith and devotion bring happiness, prosperity, good fortune, and excellent health to everyone’s life. Jai Jagannath!”
During the Yatra, devotees traditionally pull the grand, ornately decorated chariots of the three deities amid joyous chants, music, and devotional ecstasy. The event symbolises divine outreach, as the deities come out of the sanctum to bless all devotees, irrespective of caste, creed, or status.
The Slough Rath Yatra reflected this spirit of inclusivity and devotion, strengthening cultural ties and spiritual heritage within the Indian community in the UK.
