Over 3,000 devotees participated in the annual Rathyatra celebration organized by BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Kolkata, on 4 July 2008.
At 3.00 pm the Rathyatra began with the Vedic pujan of the murtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Shri Jagannathji, Shri Balbhadraji and Shri Subhadraji, in the main 35-ft. high rath (chariot), by senior sadhus, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Bhagwatpriya Swami.
Then the procession was flagged off by chief guests, Shri Vikram Ghosh (renowned musician), Shri Dineshbhai Trivedi (MP) and others pulling the rath.
Thereafter, devotees took turns to pull the rath through the streets of Kolkata. Thousands of onlookers witnessed the procession. The devout atmosphere was enhanced by the devotees of Orissa, who had come specially to sing bhajans in their unique, traditional style.
The procession concluded at 7.00 pm outside the BAPS mandir on Chakraberia Road, where the final arti was performed.
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