Hindus, Muslims unite to restore cleanliness post 'Bahuda Yatra'

Baripada (Odisha) : In a display of communal harmony, a group of people, consisting of both Hindus and Muslims, joined hands to clean up after the commencement of the Bahuda Yatra here on Monday.

A group of volunteers was seen cleaning the streets of Baripada after the commencement of the Bahuda Yatra or return car festival of Lord Jagannath.

The volunteers present echoed the importance of cleanliness, adding that it had nothing to do with religion.

"Cleanliness doesn't have any religion. So, we all have come together. We feel lucky to have been given this opportunity," a volunteer told ANI.

Another volunteer said, "We want to set an example for people of the country. We should keep our cities clean in order to stay healthy."

The 'Rath Yatra' is an annual event, during which idols of Lord Jagannath (Vishnu), his elder brother Balabhadra and younger sister Subhadra are taken out in a procession to Gundicha Temple, where they are placed for nine days.

On the other hand, Bahuda Yatra symbolises the retreat of the deities to their abode.

Millions of people join the procession for the chariot festival, which takes place in the Hindu month of Ashar every year.