Today marks the world-famous Rathyatra in Puri, where the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra ascended their respective chariots after completing the three-hour-long ‘Pahandi’ ritual at Puri’s Jagannath Temple. This grand festival commenced with the deities being escorted from the sanctum sanctorum to their majestic chariots amidst fervent chants of ‘Jai Jagannath,’ and the resonating sounds of gongs, conches, and cymbals at the Lion’s Gate of the temple.
The ‘Pahandi’ ritual began around 11:15 am, starting with Lord Sudarshan being escorted to Darpadalan, the chariot of Devi Subhadra. Following this, Lord Balabhadra was taken to his Taladhwaja chariot, and Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, was brought to her Darpadalan chariot in a special procession conducted by the servitors. Finally, Lord Jagannath was ceremonially brought to the Nandighosa chariot amid the sounds of gongs. This ritual, where the deities are brought from the temple to the chariots, concluded around 2:15 pm.
The deities descended from the ‘Ratna Sinhasana,’ the bejeweled throne, and were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as ‘Baisi Pahacha’ through the Lion’s Gate. Several rituals such as ‘Mangla Arati’ and ‘Mailam’ were performed before the deities set out from the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. The three majestic chariots, with the deities inside, now stand tall in front of the Singha Dwar of the temple, facing east towards the Gundicha Temple. Following the completion of the Pahandi ritual, Puri Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati will pay obeisance to the holy trinity on their chariots.
As per the schedule, the Chherapahanra (ritual sweeping of the chariots) by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb is to be performed by 4 pm. After fixing wooden horses to the chariots, the pulling is scheduled to start from 5 pm. In the procession, Lord Balabhadra will lead, riding the Taladhwaja chariot, followed by Devi Subhadra in the Darpadalana chariot, and finally, Lord Jagannath will ride the Nandighosa chariot at the end.
Despite the heat and humidity, lakhs of devotees gathered at Badadanda to participate in the Rath Yatra. The entire stretch of the Grand Road transformed into an ocean of humanity, set against the backdrop of the three colorful chariots and the decorated temple. This year’s Rathyatra continues the rich tradition and religious fervor that has made it a landmark event, drawing devotees and tourists alike from across the globe to witness the grandeur and spiritual significance of this ancient festival.
Today marks the world-famous Rathyatra in Puri, where the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra ascended their respective chariots after completing the three-hour-long ‘Pahandi’ ritual at Puri’s Jagannath Temple. This grand festival commenced with the deities being escorted from the sanctum sanctorum to their majestic chariots amidst fervent chants of ‘Jai Jagannath,’ and the resonating sounds of gongs, conches, and cymbals at the Lion’s Gate of the temple.
The ‘Pahandi’ ritual began around 11:15 am, starting with Lord Sudarshan being escorted to Darpadalan, the chariot of Devi Subhadra. Following this, Lord Balabhadra was taken to his Taladhwaja chariot, and Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, was brought to her Darpadalan chariot in a special procession conducted by the servitors. Finally, Lord Jagannath was ceremonially brought to the Nandighosa chariot amid the sounds of gongs. This ritual, where the deities are brought from the temple to the chariots, concluded around 2:15 pm.
The deities descended from the ‘Ratna Sinhasana,’ the bejeweled throne, and were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as ‘Baisi Pahacha’ through the Lion’s Gate. Several rituals such as ‘Mangla Arati’ and ‘Mailam’ were performed before the deities set out from the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. The three majestic chariots, with the deities inside, now stand tall in front of the Singha Dwar of the temple, facing east towards the Gundicha Temple. Following the completion of the Pahandi ritual, Puri Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati will pay obeisance to the holy trinity on their chariots.
As per the schedule, the Chherapahanra (ritual sweeping of the chariots) by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb is to be performed by 4 pm. After fixing wooden horses to the chariots, the pulling is scheduled to start from 5 pm. In the procession, Lord Balabhadra will lead, riding the Taladhwaja chariot, followed by Devi Subhadra in the Darpadalana chariot, and finally, Lord Jagannath will ride the Nandighosa chariot at the end.
Despite the heat and humidity, lakhs of devotees gathered at Badadanda to participate in the Rath Yatra. The entire stretch of the Grand Road transformed into an ocean of humanity, set against the backdrop of the three colorful chariots and the decorated temple. This year’s Rathyatra continues the rich tradition and religious fervor that has made it a landmark event, drawing devotees and tourists alike from across the globe to witness the grandeur and spiritual significance of this ancient festival.
