Puri: A host of VVIPs including chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Governor S.C. Jamir, Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu, and Union minister Juel Oram went to Puri to witness the century’s first Nabakalebara Rath Yatra.
The chief minister, who had missed few important events in the recent past, was seen distributing Prasad to devotees at the Bada Danda (Grand Road).
Later, he was seen enjoying the pulling all three chariots sitting at the information centre.
Niranjan Pujari, the speaker of the State Assembly was also present in the holy town to see the proceedings.
The annual event, which started here with much fanfare, religious fervour, enthusiasm and a spirit of camaraderie drawn a crowd of around 15 lakh, the highest so far.