A Japanese touch to the car festival

Buoyed by appreciations during Rath Yatra last year, some Japanese tourists pulled a small chariot on Chakratirtha Road for the second consecutive year.

The India-Japan Friendship Center (IJFC), a voluntary organization, working for promotion of tourism link between India and Japan, organized the Rath Yatra. State tourism minister Prafulla Samal inaugurated the event by pulling the chariot.

Even as the giant chariots of Jagannath and his siblings continue to be the major crowd-puller, the small chariot pulled by Japanese visitors grabbed the attention of many pilgrims in the hallowed town. The chariot was constructed by a group of Japanese tourists last year. A local carpenter helped them build the chariot. "The chariot was constructed by the Japanese tourists. Seeing good response last time, I organized it this year as well," said Srimanta Kumar Dash, president of IJFC.

"They were impressed by the craftsmanship of the carpenters, engaged in making the chariots for Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. They spoke their mind before me and I assisted them in making the small chariot," Dash said. The tiny chariot started rolling on Chakratirtha Road soon after the chariot of Balabhadra was pulled by devotees on Grand Road. A priest performed a set of rituals in line with the Jagannath temple rituals.
"It is really a lifetime experience. I had heard of the Rath Yatra. Now I felt it after pulling the chariot," said Ayano Nakamura, a Japanese tourist. Some Japanese tourists, who had taken part in 2011 Rath Yatra, are back this time as well. A couple, who was allegedly manhandled and molested in Rath Yatra in 2008, reached Puri a few days ago to take part in the festival. The couple got married in pure Hindu style in Puri earlier this year.
Some tourists were busy shooting the chariot pulling event to make a documentary film on Rath Yatra. "We will upload in websites and send to friends and relatives," Ito Azusa said.