In Odisha, the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan is being held today in the holy town of Puri. The Grand Trunk Road of Puri where the three chariots of the Lords will be rolled has become a sea of devotees.
President Droupadi Murmu has arrived at Puri to join the annual festival where lakhs of devotees from different parts of the world have congregated to pull the chariots scheduled at 5 this evening and have a holy darshan of the Lords. The chariots are positioned in front of the Lion’s Gate of the Sri Jagannath temple. The festival marks the Holy Trinity’s journey to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi’s Temple, and concludes with their return after eight days.
Akashvani Odisha correspondent reports that the divine journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan to the world outside from the 12th century shrine Sri Jagannath Temple in the holy town of Puri in Odisha has started this afternoon with an elaborate royal ritual called ‘Dhadi Pahandi’ which literally means going forward in a step by step movement to the accompaniment of several devotees with sound from the beating of the ghanta, kahali and telingi instruments. Lord Jagannath was taken to the Nandighosa chariot, while Devi Subhadra and Sri Chakraraj.
Sudarshan were taken to Debadalana chariot and Lord Balabhadra to the Taladhwaja chariot. After Pahandi rituals, Puri Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati will pay obeisance to the sibling deities on their chariots. Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb will perform ‘Chherapahanra’, sweeping off the decks of three chariots with a golden broom, atop the three chariots. The ritual is expected to be completed by 4 this evening following which wooden horses will be fixed to the chariots. Charioteers will mount the three chariots before pulling begins at 5 in the evening by millions of devotees. The chariots will be pulled to a short distance as per the tradition before the sun sets and resume again tomorrow. This year, the chariot will be pulled over two days due to specific celestial arrangements, a rarity last seen in 1971.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made in the pilgrim town for smooth conduct of the festival. The Police have implemented Artificial Technology on a pilot basis to enhance traffic and crowd management. Special security arrangements are in place for President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the festival, while a VIP zone has been planned for the Odisha governor, chief minister, Union ministers and other dignitaries.
