New Delhi | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted people on the Rath Yatra festival, noting it is a radiant expression of India's timeless spiritual and cultural heritage.

During the annual yatra, chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are pulled from Shri Jagannath temple to Shree Gundicha temple in Puri, Odisha.

Lakhs of devotees gather to be part of the grand festival. Similar yatras are also taken out in other parts of the country.

"Greetings to everyone on the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra. This is a radiant expression of India's timeless spiritual and cultural heritage," Modi said in a post on X.

The prime minister said the traditions associated with the Rath Yatra have inspired generations across India and the world and they embody humility, collective participation and selfless service.

"May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless everyone with good health, happiness and prosperity. May He give us strength for all our endeavours and deepen the spirit of togetherness in our society. Jai Jagannath," he said.

Modi also said that on the auspicious occasion of Mahaprabhu Jagannath's Rath Yatra, he prays that the blessings of the God remain with everyone forever.

"May His divine grace infuse new energy into the lives of all countrymen," he said in another post in Hindi