The sacred Rath Yatra in Puri began on June 27 with the divine Pahandi ritual, where Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra were taken to their chariots. Devotees chanted "Jai Jagannath" as rituals, dances, and music filled the air. Lakhs gathered to witness the grand procession, continuing a centuries-old spiritual tradition.
Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra on the occasion of the annual 'Rath Yatra' festival. Pic/PTI
The devotees and the pilgrims who are in Puri and across the globe are mesmerised by the divine mythological belief of Rath Yatra. On Friday, June 27, the Pahandi 'ritual began. During the Pahandi ritual, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are being carried in a procession from the 12th-century temple to their respective chariots for the Rath Yatra that started on Friday.
As reported by PTI, the Pahandi rituals in Puri during the Rath Yatra were earlier scheduled to begin at 9.30 am. However, due to some reasons, it started one hour late and will continue for three hours.
Following the sacred tradition, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath are being carried in a procession to their respective chariots parked in front of the Lion's Gate for the journey to Shree Gundicha Temple, which is about 2.6 kilometres from the 12th-century shrine here.
During the early hours of Friday, the beating of gongs and blowing of conches and cymbals, Chakraraj Sudarshan was first to be carried out from the main temple and seated at the 'Darpadalan' chariot of Devi Subhadra.
Shree Sudarshan is the wheel weapon of Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in the form of Lord Jagannath in Puri, said Pandit Suryanaray Rathsharma.
Shree Sudarshan was followed by Lord Balabhadra, the elder brother of Lord Jagannath. Lord Balabhadra is seated on his 'Taladhwaja' chariot. Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, was being brought to her 'Darpadalan' chariot in a special procession called 'Sunya Pahandi' (the Goddess looking at the sky while being carried to the chariot) by servitors.
Emotions burst out from devotees who were present at Puri during the Jagannath Rath Yatra when Lord Jagannath came out of the temple. With emotions spilling over the Grand Road, devotees were seen with their hands up and shouting 'Jai Jagannath'.
Furthermore, Odissi dancers, folk artists, music players and many other groups drawn from different parts of the state compete among themselves to perform before the 'Kalia Thakura'.
An Odissi dancer, Maitree Maheswari, while expressing his views during the Rath Yatra, said, "My life will be fulfilled if the Lord graced me to throw a look at me."
Ratha Yatra, held on the second day of the Odia month of 'Ashadha Shukla Tithi' (bright fortnight) every year, is the only occasion when the sibling deities come out of the temple after descending from the 'Ratna Sinhasana', the bejewelled throne, through 22 steps known as 'Baisi Pahacha' through the Lion's Gate in an elaborate royal ritual called 'Pahandi'.
Before the Pahandi, a number of customary rituals like 'Mangla Arati' and 'Mailam' were held before the presiding deities came out from the sanctum sanctorum, which is the innermost chamber where the main deity's idol (murti) is enshrined in the temple.
Soon after the Rath Yatra, the three majestic chariots now stand tall in front of the Singha Dwar of the temple, facing east towards the Gundicha temple.
Following the Pahandi, as per schedule, 'Chherapahanra' (sweeping of chariots) would be performed by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb at 3.30 pm before pulling of chariots at 4 pm as per the programme.
Meanwhile, lakhs of devotees have already thronged the pilgrim town of Puri to witness the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on Friday.
(With PTI Inputs)
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