Bhubaneswar: Amid chanting of ‘Jai Jagannath’ and waves of devotion, the pulling of chariots began at around 5.00 PM on Thursday, nearly one hour after the scheduled time, marking the start of the world-famous Rath Yatra in the holy town of Puri.
Torrential rain could not dampen the spirit of lakhs of devotees who lined the Bada Danda holding a sea of umbrellas. The atmosphere echoed with chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ and ‘Hari Bol’ as devotees danced in ecstasy despite the incessant downpour.
The Tala Dhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra was pulled first, following the Chhera Pahara ritual (ceremonial sweeping of the chariots with a golden broom) by Gajapati Maharaja Dibya Singha Deb. Thousands of devotees joined together to pull the magnificent chariot of Lord Baladeba along the Grand Road in processions.
Earlier in the day, the Pahandi Bije ritual commenced ahead of schedule. The holy siblings, along with other deities, were escorted out from the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple to their respective decorated chariots in a grand ceremonial procession.
The air was filled with the divine sounds of ghanta, kahali and telingi baja, while priests chanted sacred Vedic hymns and Odissi artists performed to welcome the deities on their nine-day sojourn to Gundicha Temple, believed to be their birthplace.
Following the completion of Pahandi, Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, along with his disciples, offered puja to the holy siblings on the chariots.
Later, Puri King Gajapati Maharaja Dibya Singha Deb, the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, offered prayers to the deities and performed the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots.
After Tala Dhwaja, the Darpa Dalan of Devi Subhadra and Nandighosa of Lord Jagannath will be pulled next.
Lakhs of devotees from across the country and overseas thronged the streets, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of faith and celebration.
