VARANASI, July 19 -- Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Rai participated in the Rath Yatra fair and offered prayers to Lord Jagannath at the historic Rath Yatra crossing in Varanasi. After performing the rituals for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, he prayed for the happiness, peace and prosperity of the people of the state and the country. Rai also joined devotees in pulling the chariot of Lord Jagannath. Reflecting on the event, Rai said, "Like every year, we residents of Kashi have had the privilege of participating in the historic Rath Yatra fair and the divine Aarti of Lord Jagannath Mahaprabhu. I pray to the Lord to bless everyone and bestow happiness, prosperity, and peace upon the entire state". Emphasizing the significance of the tradition, he added, "Kashi's world-famous Rath Yatra fair is an invaluable heritage of our Sanatan culture, public faith, and social harmony". Describing the event as a shared legacy, Rai remarked, "Preserving our cultural and spiritual heritage and passing it on to future generations is a moral obligation for us all. Such religious and cultural events unite society, strengthen values, and keep the ethos of Indian culture alive. We pray to Lord Jagannath for the health, happiness, prosperity, peace, and progress of the people of the state and the nation"....