Japanese tourists celebrate rath yatra in Puri. Picture by Sarat Patra

Even as the devotional frenzy and festivities were at their peak on Grand Road here, a little far away on Chakrathirtha Road, a team of Buddhist tourists from Japan along with their European friends were busy tugging three quaint chariots with equal dedication and enthusiasm.

The 50-member group, completely unaware of the attention they attracted, chanted Hari Om and Jai Jagannath and danced to the sounds of cymbals as their chariot rambled along the bumpy road.

“Never before have I seen so many people at one place. The experience is exhilarating,” said Ayano, a volunteer at the India Japanese Friendship Centre here.

For Ayano and her friends — Erina, Azusa, Kyoko and Yamata — all first-time visitors to Puri, it was tough to stay away from the festive madness of the pilgrim town.

Putting their best foot forward, the group, staying at a hotel on Chakratirtha Road for the last two months, decided to work on their five-feet-high rath.

Given the similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism, Erina said she had heard many tales of Lord Jagannath and the grand chariot festival back home in Japan. But for her the privilege of pulling the chariots on D-Day, that too in the land of the Lord, was “sheer coincidence and good luck”.

“Lord Jagannath is very different from other Indian deities in terms of appearance. I get lost in His big, round eyes,” she added.

Naoto Sakamoto, who witnessed the festival last year here, appeared equally excited. “When we came to Puri last time, it was merely a professional trip for us. But with the passage of time it has blossomed into a pious journey. I remember constructing the three chariots with the help of a few of my Indian friends,” said Naoto.