Like these three women, there were a large numbers of foreigners who participated in rath yatra in Puri on Sunday. Picture by Pradip Sanyal

Foreigners visiting Puri were swept by the fervour associated with the rath yatra as they joined lakhs of devotees in pulling the chariots on Sunday.

California-based Micah Hanson (35) witnessed the car festival for the first time and termed it as “great fun” and “an experience of a lifetime”. He was busy clicking pictures of the chariots and the frenzied crowd with his big, chunky camera.

“I have visited Puri earlier, but this is the first time I am witnessing the car festival. This is a great opportunity for foreign tourists like me who are generally not allowed inside the temple. It is really fascinating that the Gods are taken out on the streets. This is somewhat like politicians reaching out to the common man while campaigning,” said Micah, who has completed his PhD in engineering.

Sam Vivian, an American from Massachussets, also took part in the festivities today. Sam is married to an Oriya and was accompanied by his brother-in-law to Puri on Sunday.

“I had seen the rath yatra on television last year. This time, I caught a good glimpse of Lord Jagannath. The concept of a God coming out of His abode to meet His devotees is very interesting,” said the 40-year-old computer engineer, who has been staying in Bhubaneswar since a year.

Like Mican and Sam, several tourists from foreign countries had flocked to Grand Road on Sunday. The statistics of the state tourism department indicates that the number of foreign tourists participating in the car festival is increasing every year.

“It is amazing to see so many people, so many rituals. And what great enthusiasm! I have read a lot on Jagannath. He looks unique and His eyes are so big. He is a powerful god and very well known the world over,” said 51-year-old Nino Rainer of Germany. An employee of an insurance company, he is here with five of his friends.

“I was in Puri five years ago and participated in bahuda (return of chariots), the last day of the festival. I have taken plenty of pictures this time. I am planning to bring my wife and kids for the next rath yatra,” said Nino, who has two children aged five and six years.