Rath Yatra LIVE | Puri chariot-pulling resumes; 1 dead during Sunday festivities
Festival being celebrated over two days as major rituals of deities preceding Rath Yatra coincide with the day of the event
Lakhs of people pulled forward giant chariots from the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri towards Gundicha temple, around 2.5 km away, as Rath Yatra festivities began in Odisha on Sunday (July 7). The festivities continued on Monday after a break on Sunday evening in a departure from the tradition usually followed.
The “yatra” started around 5.20 pm after Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanada Saraswati visited the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra with his disciples and the Puri’s titular king completed the Chhera Pahanra (chariot sweeping) ritual.
President Droupadi Murmu performed a “parikrama” of the three chariots and bowed before the deities.
The president, Governor Raghubar Das, the CM and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan symbolically started the “yatra” by pulling the ropes of Nandighosh — the chariot of Lord Jagannath. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also had a “darshan” of the sibling deities.
The celebrations were somewhat marred by the death of a devotee and eight people falling ill due to suffocation while pulling the chariots on Sunday evening.
“With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, all the rituals have been completed on time on Sunday. A large number of devotees have reached the town to witness the festival and the weather condition has also remained favourable,” said Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.
The sibling deities ascended their respective chariots after the completion of the three-hour-long “Pahandi” ritual at 2.15 pm.
Amid chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ by servitors and lakhs of devotees gathered on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) and the sound of gongs, conches and cymbals, Lord Sudarshan was first escorted to ‘Darpadalan’, the chariot of Devi Subhadra.
Following Lord Sudharshan, Lord Balabhadra was taken to his Taladhwaja chariot. Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, was brought to her Darpadalan chariot in the special procession by servitors.
Lord Jagannath was the last to be carried to his chariot ‘Nandighosa’ in the Pahandi Bije ritual.
Descending from the 'Ratna Sinhasana', the bejewelled throne, the three deities were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as 'Baisi Pahacha' through the Lion's Gate in the elaborate royal ritual called 'Pahandi'.
A number of customary rituals like 'Mangla Arati' and 'Mailam' were held before the presiding deities set out from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
The three majestic chariots started from the Singha Dwar of the temple, facing east towards the Gundicha temple.
Lord Balabhadra leads the chariot procession riding ‘Taladhwaja’. It is followed by Devi Subhadra in Darpadalana. Lord Jagannath goes riding Nandighosa at the end.
Lakhs of devotees have thronged the pilgrim town of Puri to witness the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on Sunday. Special arrangements were made as President Droupadi Murmu also witnessed the Rath Yatra, which will be a two-day affair after 53 years.
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Live Updates
- 7 July 2024 9:55 AM GMT
President Droupadi Murmu wishes countrymen
"I extend my heartiest greetings to all the countrymen on the arrival of the world famous Rathayatra of Mahaprabhu Sreejagannath. Today, countless Jagannathan lovers of the country and the world are anxiously waiting for the sight of the three Thakurs on the chariot. On the occasion of this great festival, I pray to the Lord for happiness, peace and prosperity for everyone. Jai Jagannath!"
- 7 July 2024 9:08 AM GMT
Lord Jagannath, siblings ascend chariots
Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra ascended their respective chariots after the completion of the three-hour-long Pahandi ritual at Puri’s Jagannath temple on Sunday.
Amid “Jai Jagannath” chants, sounds of gongs, conches and cymbals reverberated through the air at Lion’s Gate of the Puri temple as Lord Sudarshan was first escorted to Darpadalan, the chariot of Devi Subhadra, as Pahandi began around 11.15 am.
Following Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra was taken to his Taladhwaja chariot. Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, was brought to her Darpadalan chariot in a special procession by servitors.
Finally, Lord Jagannath was taken to the Nandighosa chariot in a ceremonial procession amid the sounds of gongs.
The Pahandi ritual, in which the deities are brought from the temple to the chariots, was completed around 2.15 pm.
Descending from the Ratna Sinhasana, the bejewelled throne, the three deities were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as Baisi Pahacha through the Lion’s Gate.
Several rituals like Mangla Arati and Mailam were held before the presiding deities set out from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
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.
After completion of the Pahandi ritual, Puri Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati will pay obeisance to the holy trinity on their chariots.
As per schedule, Chherapahanra of the chariots by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb would be performed by 4 pm. After fixing wooden horses to the chariots, the pulling is scheduled to start from 5 pm.
Lord Balabhadra would lead the chariot procession riding Taladhwaja. It will be followed by Devi Subhadra in Darpadalana. Lord Jagannath would go riding Nandighosa at the end.
