Thousands of devotees assembled at Gazole block of Malda district on Thursday to witness the Rath Yatra Carnival — a procession of seven chariots — and also pulled them along a 5.5km stretch of NH12.

The Rath Yatra had not been held for the past two years because of Covid. Organisers from various Rath Yatra committees joined hands to hold a common procession with the chariots carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balaram.

Traffic movement remained suspended for around three hours. The celebrations continued from afternoon till late evening.

“It was a nice experience to see seven decorated chariots passing one after another,” said a devotee.