Siliguri, 04th July: With Rath Yatra approaching, a festive atmosphere has already taken over Siliguri markets, where decorative wooden chariots for children have started attracting buyers.
The traditional festival of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra is set to be celebrated across the country, and preparations have begun nationwide. Along with the famous Rath Yatra in Puri, the festival is widely observed across various districts of West Bengal, especially through ISKCON and local Rath Yatra committees. In Siliguri and other parts of North Bengal, the festival is celebrated with similar enthusiasm every year.
A noticeable excitement is being seen among children, who enjoy pulling small decorated chariots in their neighborhoods, creating a lively and devotional atmosphere associated with the festival.
At present, several shops in Siliguri are offering a variety of beautifully designed wooden chariots, ranging from small models for children to larger decorative versions. Prices start from around ₹400 and go up to ₹2000 depending on size and design.
Shopkeepers say that although the festival is still a few days away, customer turnout has already begun increasing. They expect strong sales in the coming days and hope that most stock will be sold out before Rath Yatra begins.