Bhubaneswar: The sacred rituals of the Rath Yatra began Thursday morning with the commencement of Pahandi, the ceremonial procession of the deities from Srimandir to their respective chariots on the Bada Danda.
Amidst chanting of ‘Haribol’ and ‘Hulahuli’ by thousands of devotees, the Pahandi started first with Chakraraj Lord Sudarshan. The air was filled with the sounds of ghanta, kahali and conch shells, making the entire Grand Road reverberate with divine energy.
As per tradition, Lord Sudarshan was taken out first during the Pahandi Bije. He was placed on Devi Subhadra’s chariot ‘Debadalana’.The graceful Pahandi of Lord Sudarshan left devotees mesmerized, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere on the Grand Road.
Following Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath will be taken out in ceremonial procession in that order.
Earlier in the day, servitors performed the traditional Rath Pratistha Puja of the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra ahead of their divine journey to Gundicha Temple.
With the completion of the puja and the beginning of Pahandi, the stage is now set for the pulling of the three grand chariots later in the day.
