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Hindu temple holds first-ever Rath Yatra fest

The Swindon Hindu Temple celebrated Rath Yatra for the first time
The Swindon Hindu Temple celebrated Rath Yatra for the first time

The event celebrates the annual journey of the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.

A Hindu temple has celebrated its first ever Rath Yatra, bringing devotees together.

The Swindon Hindu Temple commemorated the annual journey of the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from their home in the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, a distance of about 3km (1.8 miles).

The Rath Yatra is a procession, with the deities carried on three huge chariots pulled by devotees.

Pradeep Bhardwaj, chairman of Swindon Hindu Temple, said: "This is a very significant moment, as Swindon Hindu Temple is one of only a handful of temples in Europe to have the deities of the highly revered Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra."

The fest included a community meal prepared by devotees
The fest included a community meal prepared by devotees

Bhardwaj added: "It's offering devotees in Swindon and the region an opportunity on their doorstep to offer their prayers to the Lord of the Universe, making Swindon a truly special place."

A community feast with more than 56 items was prepared and served to hundreds of devotees, allowing people from all backgrounds to celebrate the values of togetherness and selfless service.

"The event was much more than a festival, it was a celebration of community, culture, and the timeless message of Lord Jagannath: compassion, equality, and universal love," Bhardwaj added.

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