The Rathyatra celebration at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Kolkata, began with a short assembly explaining the significance of the Rathyatra festival.
Thereafter, the murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, Shri Jagannathji Bhagwan, Subhadraji and Balramji were seated in a beautifully decorated rath (chariot). Pujan of these murtis was performed with the chanting of Vedic verses in the presence of local community leaders and other invited guests.
Then, the sadhus, guests and devotees devoutly pulled the rath in a procession around the perimeter of the mandir. The rath was accompanied by children in traditional costumes. Over 500 devotees participated in the procession, while thousands more had darshan from various points inside the mandir campus. The celebration concluded with everyone joining in to perform the arti.