Puri: The stage is set for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, with the three majestic chariots being positioned in front of the Singhadwar of the Shree Jagannath Temple on Wednesday following the arrival of the sacred Ajnamala.
In keeping with centuries-old tradition, the chariots—Nandighosa, Darpadalana and Taladhwaja—were ceremonially pulled from the Rathakhala (chariot construction yard) to the temple’s main entrance by police personnel, servitors and devotees amid the ringing of bells and chants of devotees. Nandighosa was brought first, followed by Darpadalana and Taladhwaja.
With the chariots in place, Puri has entered the final phase of preparations for the world-famous festival, which will be celebrated on Thursday. Thousands of devotees have already arrived in the pilgrim town, while the flow of pilgrims along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) continued to increase through the day.
Preparations were also underway at the Shree Gundicha Temple, the destination of the deities during their nine-day annual sojourn. Devotees participated in the traditional cleaning of the Janmabedi (birthplace platform), using fragrant water, sandalwood paste and brooms to sanctify the premises ahead of the arrival of the deities.
According to the ritual schedule announced by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Mangala Alati will be performed at 6 am on Thursday, while the ceremonial Pahandi procession of the deities will commence at 9.30 am. The procession is expected to conclude by 12.30 pm. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb will perform the ceremonial Chhera Pahara, or sweeping of the chariots, between 2 pm and 3 pm, after which the pulling of the three chariots is scheduled to begin at 4 pm.
The district administration and temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. Multi-layered security measures, crowd management systems and emergency response mechanisms have been put in place as authorities expect a larger turnout of devotees than last year.
The India Meteorological Department has also indicated the possibility of moderate to heavy rain over Puri during the festival period, prompting the administration to make additional contingency arrangements to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
The annual Rath Yatra, one of India’s largest religious festivals, marks the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Shree Gundicha Temple, where the deities stay for nine days before returning during the Bahuda Yatra.
