Odia Fest Celebrations in Japan and Australia | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: With Rath Yatra celebrated across the state on Sunday, Odias living abroad also took part in the festival with much fanfare. Odias living in Japan’s Kasugai city and Canberra in Australia pulled the chariots of the sibling deities and were joined by locals and those from other communities as well.
Preparations in Japan started a little after mid-June when Indians and Japanese came together to build a wooden chariot as well as work on the rath’s decor.
The chariot was mounted unto a minibus and brought to Hinago Kindergarten School grounds, the festival venue, by volunteers of Kasugai rath yatra organizing committee and Shree Jagannatha Society Japan, the festival organisers.
All rituals were performed as per guidelines laid down by the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The ‘pahandi’ of Devi Suhadra was conducted by women only. The ‘chhera pahanra’ was carried out by Kanika Agarwal, director of Vivekanand Culture Centre, Embassy of India, and Masanao Kajita, councillor of Kasugai City, among other dignitaries.
Agarwal spoke about the history and importance of Rath Yatra at the celebrations.
Odissi dance was performed by six dancers of Tridhara (India & Japan) led by Guru Gajendra Panda. They presented “Dasa Avatar” and a presentation on “Jagannath Astakam”. Kathak and Bharatnatyam were presented too.
A magazine titled ‘Shree Jagannatha Yatra’ was released by the dignitaries. It contained messages from Odisha chief minister Mohan Majhi, Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb and Indian ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, among others. Over 500 people participated in the celebrations.
In Canberra, Australia, the celebrations were organised by the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre (HTCC) of the ACT in which 21 families, all members of centre, participated.
“The deities were taken in ‘dhadi pahandi’ to the chariot. Each deity was carried by four persons and ‘chhera pahanra’ was carried out by guests amid kirtans,” said Tarun Agasti, secretary, Hindu temple, Canberra.
The chariot was pulled on a pre-determined route under the guidance of 10-15 volunteers. Over 60 devotees also came in a bus from Sydney.
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