CAR FESTIVAL AT PURI

CAR FESTIVAL AT PURI
P.K.Routray
Edited by p Gaam

Today is the great holy day of the year,
A million people from far and near come together,
To Puri, the seat of Lord Jagnnath, the supreme universal God,
To fulfill their cherished dream of pulling his Chariot- Cord.
The Lord with his brother and sister is made to come out of the sacred temple
Tossing and oscillating in the style of a pachyderm as on example.
The images of the three deities are decorated colorfully with flowers.
Having a glance of their enchanting forms the devotees quench their lifelong desire.
Sounds of drums and gongs and chanting of sacred hymns in his praise fill the air,
Devotees dance merrily when at his world enchanting from they stare.
Hindus or non-Hindus, theists or atheists,
Bow with awe and wonder at His divine sight.
Young or old, male or female, rich or poor,
King or commoner, wise or foolish all gather together.
To have a glimpse of their beloved God,
The master of the Universe or Lord Jagnnath in native language He is called
Everything of this moral world is illusory and unreal
He, as his devotees believe is the only immoral, eternal
Made of Neem wood are the three half and non-dual complete images,
With hidden mystery keeping unanswered our queries from ages,
Myriad of thoughts invade own minds on this occasion,
They have the singular goal of bless and salvation
Whether in a temple or a church or in a mosque
Their spiritual need satisfaction, its definition they are unaware.
Each activity on car festivals day has a meaning as performed over the years
Volumes of epics have been written to convey the significance
My dear friends of ABC you are at far off places but,
The ceremony will delight you when you see its telecast.
The Hindu scriptures tell the creation has been there for God’s fun,
By His illusion he created Gods, demons and human,
Lord Jaganath symbolizes all religions in one form,
In Him you find tokens of Hindu, Muslim and Christian norm.
Three chariots are made for the three deities; He, His brother and His sister.
They are pulled by the devotees through a distance of three kilometer.
People of all sects draw he chariots wish faith and devotion,
That they will get His blessings for liberation and salvation
The assembly on the Grand Road of the million devotees,
Must have filled their heart with purity and santtity.
Round the year He showers blessing from the temple’s gem-studded stone,
To bless us in congregation He with His sibling today comes out in open,
The scene at Puri is a sea of people with threes chariots rising high,
Only human heads and three flags flying are seen from sky.
If you imagine the scene from far off places you would be dazed,
Year after year the Car festival continues to keep the world amazed.

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