Lord Jagannath: The Embodiment of Divine Power* *Grand Chariot Festival in Visakhapatnam* *Devotees Throng Everywhere* *Special Prayers Offered to the Lord Enthroned on the Chariot* *By Gantla, Secretary of the National Journalists' Association*

Visakhapatnam, July 16 Gantla Srinubabu—a former member of the Simhachalam Devasthanam Board of Trustees, a special invitee, Secretary of the National Journalists' Association, State Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists' Federation, and Honorary President of the Dockyard KTB Association—stated that Lord Jagannath is a powerful deity who fulfills the wishes of his devotees. On Thursday, in 

Visakhapatnam's Old City, Gantla Srinubabu offered prayers to the deities—Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra—seated on the chariot. He also visited the main temple to offer special prayers to Lord Jagannath and the other presiding deities. Speaking on the occasion, Gantla Srinubabu noted that, according to Puranic scriptures, beholding Lord Jagannath on the chariot washes away all sins and liberates one from the cycle of rebirth. He added that devotees hold a deep belief that the Lord grants their heartfelt wishes and blesses those who visit Him with happiness, prosperity, good health, and a long, peaceful life. In Visakhapatnam, Lord Jagannath appears in various forms over a ten-day period...  

It was stated that these grand festivities are being organized with great splendor at Turner Choultry under the auspices of the Endowments Department, offering devotees a delightful opportunity for *darshan*. Consequently, Gantla Srinubabu expressed the hope that all devotees would seek the *darshan* of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, and thereby become recipients of the Lord's grace.