Bhubaneswar, July 3: Tears rolled down the eyes of Ananda Vardhini as she caught the first glimpse of Lord Jagannath as He was swayed out of Gundicha temple during bahuda yatra today. Ananda has travelled all the way from Florida to witness the chariot festival in Puri.

"I felt as if my heart was going to explode. The moment gave me goose bumps," said the 36-year-old, who was visiting the chariot festival for the first time.

Her tryst with the Lord began since the day she was born. "My father and grandfather were Jagannath devotees so we were brought up under the shadow of the Lord. We have idols of the Trinity at our house and worship him daily. We have also adopted Indian names and lifestyle," she added.

She says that the Lord has always listened to her prayers. "I can feel Him around me. Every time I see him, I fall in love again," she says.

She said though she would be happy were she allowed to enter the Puri temple, but not letting people outside the community seemed reasonable.

"Every person is protective of his or her family and for the people of Odisha, Lord Jagannath is their family. So, it is reasonable for them to restrict the entry of outsiders because one does not know the sentiments with which other people will perceive the Lord and his culture," said Ananda, who is a businesswoman back home.

Ananda came to Puri a few days before rath yatra and will leave after a month. In the days that follow, she will take lessons from local priests on various rituals of the Lord and his siblings.

"Back in my country, we have a Hindu priest who performs puja for us but I want to do it in an authentic manner. I know a few sevayats here who have promised to tell me about the authentic rituals. I want to know about the various besha (attires) of the Trinity during a particular occasion apart from the daily ceremonies that are performed during various hours of the day," she added.

The only thing she regretted was that she could not touch Lord Jagannath. "I want to hug Him and never let go," she said.

She said her entire family believes in Jagannath culture.

"Both my children and husband adore the Lord and worship him daily. They were very eager to come here and someday all of us will come here together," she added.