Puri, July 16: The atmosphere at the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, was filled with devotion as the world-renowned Rath Yatra approaches. Before the grand procession begins, Odissi dancers performed heartfelt dances in honor of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra in front of the three chariots. Dressed in traditional attire, the artists expressed their reverence and dedication through their art.
One dancer shared that it is a great honor for them to perform in front of Lord Jagannath, who emerges from the temple to be among his devotees once a year. They described this sacred opportunity as a blessing, attributing their ability to perform to the grace of the Lord.
An artist associated with Lingaraj Kala Niketan mentioned that they come to Puri every year to serve the Lord. They stated that they perform Odissi dance during major events like Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, and Niladri Bije. According to her, the tradition of Odissi dance is linked to the devotion of Lord Jagannath, making their performance a source of spiritual joy.
The artist expressed that this year’s experience was particularly special, as they performed amidst light rain. They likened the rain to the dance of a peacock, stating that just as a peacock spreads its feathers and dances before the rain, they too were dancing in welcome of the Lord. All the artists are now eagerly awaiting the moment when the Lord will come out on his chariot.
Another dancer recounted that when they began their performance, it was raining heavily. Despite the downpour, they continued dancing, as Lord Jagannath loves dance, and they were performing solely for Him. They noted that this experience would remain one of the most memorable moments of their life.
A young artist emotionally shared that they did not expect to come to Puri this year, but thanks to a friend, they were fortunate to be part of this divine occasion. Their greatest desire is simply to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannath.
Another artist described this experience as miraculous, explaining that they had no plans to visit Puri but arrived by the Lord’s will. They viewed the rain as a blessing from Lord Indra, meant to purify the earth before welcoming Lord Jagannath.
A senior artist remarked that when Lord Jagannath sits on his chariot and the ‘tahiya’ adorns his head, swaying rhythmically, it feels as if the Lord Himself is dancing. They expressed that all artists are eagerly awaiting that divine moment when the celebration of devotion and joy reaches its peak.
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