Puri: The much-awaited pulling of the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra resumed on Friday morning, bringing cheer to lakhs of devotees in Puri. After remaining stationed overnight on the Grand Road (Bada Danda), the three chariots — Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana — began moving again around 9:30 am following the completion of morning rituals.
As per reports, Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot was positioned at Fire Station Square, Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana at Marchikote Square, and Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot near the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Jagannath Temple. As the pulling resumed, the air reverberated with loud chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’, the sound of gongs, and conch shells.
Thousands of devotees, many of whom had spent the night in the holy town, enthusiastically joined in pulling the massive ropes of the chariots. The chariots are now progressing towards the Gundicha Temple, located approximately 2.6 km from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple.
Devotees believe that even touching the sacred chariots during the procession brings the divine blessings and compassion of Lord Jagannath. The resumption of the chariot pulling has brought renewed energy and excitement to the ongoing Ratha Yatra celebrations in Puri.
