Bhubaneswar: The Pahandi ritual of Lord Jagannath was completed smoothly amid great fervour and devotion in Puri’s Jagannath temple today.
According to sources, servitors performed the daily chores of deities in the early morning beginning with Mangal Alati, Mailam, Tadapa Lagi, Rosha Homo, Abakash, Suryapuja, Dwarapala puja which after Gopal bhog was offered. Besides, outside the Srimandir, the temple purohit organized a ritual to consecrate the three chariots in front of Singha Dwara before the deities boarded them. Prior to this, carpenters had fixed Kanak Mundis to each chariot and erected flag masts. The process was completed by 9:30 am, with the flags being fashioned and hoisted on the masts, marking a sacred preparation for the Rath Yatra festivities.
Inside the Srimandir, Daita servitors initiated the Pahandi procession at 9:30 am, starting with Lord Balabhadra, followed by Devi Subhadra, and concluding with Lord Jagannath. Additionally, the deities Sudarshan, Ramakrishna, and Madanmohan were also brought out in Pahandi and placed on their respective chariots to accompany the Lord during the Rath Yatra.
The air was filled with joyous chants of “Hari Bola” and “Huluhuli” as the atmosphere resonated with the recitation of sacred hymns. The Badadanda, transformed into an ocean of humanity, became a vibrant and aesthetic arena, pulsing with spiritual energy and devotion.
The next rituals will take place from 1:30 pm to 2 pm when the Chitalagi ceremony will be performed. Simultaneously, the Besha Sesa ritual will be conducted from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, adding to the sacred proceedings.
As the festivities progress, the Chhera Pahanra ritual will be performed from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Later, the Charamalaphita ceremony will take place, and the Ghoda and Sarathi will be installed at 4 pm. Finally, the highlight of the Rath Yatra, the chariot pulling, will commence at 4 pm, marking the grand culmination of the rituals.
