It was an atmosphere that took all the participants out of America into a traditional Indian town. Hundreds had gathered to celebrate the Rath yatra festival with great joy and enthusiasm. Following the custom of Jagannath Puri, devotees had the chance to pull along a Rath, which was graced by the idol of the Lord, in a festive procession twice around the Haveli. Even the girls and women devotees had their own chance to pull the Rath while singing bhajans. A short assembly was held in the beginning wherein the significance of this grand Hindu festival was explained. The children, dressed up in traditional costumes, danced and played music to celebrate the Rath Yatra.