Snag in main chariot delays Kolkata Rath Yatra by 3 hours
Times of India | 8 July 2024
KOLKATA: The Iskcon Kolkata Rath Yatra on Sunday was hit by a snag in the main chariot on which Lord Jagannath rides, leading to a delay of more than three hours as mechanics struggled to fix the problem. Finally, a breakdown vehicle was deployed to haul the chariot directly to Brigade Parade Ground via AJC Bose Road instead of the circuitous route that left lakhs gathered along the scheduled route disappointed.
The chariots of Balaram, Subhadra and Jagannath travel 6 km on the day of Rath and 8 km on Ulta Rath a week later. Iskcon officials said mechanics would work on the steering system and resolve the issue before Ulta Rath on July 15.
The programme was slightly delayed at the onset due to a heavy downpour. After CM Mamata Banerjee flagged off the Rath Yatra around 2.30 pm, the procession began at 2.50 pm with devotees leading the roadshow. Balaram's chariot, traditionally the first to roll out, started around 3 pm and Subhadra's chariot joined 15 minutes later. After another 15 minutes, Jagannath's chariot started the journey. The snag was detected when the chariots reached AJC Bose Road.