Canadian Martina throws her hands up in the air in praise of the Lord in Puri on Wednesday. Telegraph picture

An excited Martina chanted repeatedly, “Jai Jagannath”, as the larger-than-life idol of the Lord was carried to his mount, Nandighosha. Dressed in simple Indian attire, the 30-year-old Canadian looked every inch a traditional Hindu imbued with undying devotion for the Lord on his annual sojourn to Sri Gundicha, but for her blonde hair and pink-and-white skin.

“I still cannot believe He was right in front of me, swaying to the beats of gongs and cymbals,” said Martina, who bid adieu to a successful career in cosmetology and her family back in Canada five years ago to embark on a spiritual quest across India.

Though she has visited Puri once earlier, today was the first time that she participated in the rath yatra festivities. Devotees of an international religious organisation have sponsored her weeklong trip to the holy town. Martina said that through this trip, she hoped to find inner peace and answers to questions that have been haunting her for years.

“The atmosphere is electrifying. I had to come here for the car festival not only because I am an ardent follower of Lord Krishna but also because this is the only occasion when the Lord comes out and meets his non-Hindu devotees. I believe the temple should be open to everyone as Jagannath does not belong to just one section of people,” she said.

She was one among the hundreds of foreign tourists who were soaking in the devotional frenzy today. There were some who had come to Puri for the very first time and were amazed at the sight of the deities.

Irishwoman Anna Keyes and her boyfriend Daniel Whelan at the rath yatra in Puri on Wednesday. Telegraph picture

“We were in Calcutta and were planning a trip to some place close. That is how we stumbled upon some information about Puri and rath yatra. We did not want to miss the chance. The gods have such a unique structure. We were told that Jagannath is in charge of the universe and answers everyone’s prayers,” said Anna Keyes, 25, an Irishwoman, who works as a teacher in Calcutta.

She was accompanied by her boyfriend Daniel Whelan, a musician.

Then there was a group of three Russian tourists, who jostled their way through the crowd, jumping the cordon to touch the chariots and click pictures before the police chased them away.

“We had heard a lot about the rath yatra and the powers of Lord Jagannath. It was an incredible experience,” said Swetlana Fomina, 32, a freelance journalist.