Puri: The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of India’s largest and most revered religious festivals, commenced in Odisha’s holy city of Puri on Thursday, drawing lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad.
The centuries-old Festival of Chariots marks the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra from the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Shree Gundicha Temple. During the festival, the sibling deities leave the temple sanctum to bless devotees in a rare public procession.
The rituals began with the arrival of the Ajnamala, the sacred garland symbolising the deities’ command to begin the journey. The three towering wooden chariots were then positioned before the Singhadwara of the Jagannath Temple, facing the Shree Gundicha Temple, ahead of the ceremonial pulling of the chariots.
Video courtesy: YT/GovernorOdisha
Thursday schedule: 9:30 am Pahandi begins; 12:30 pm Pahandi concludes; 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Madanmohan Bije; 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Chitalagi; 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Besha Sesha; 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Chhera Pahanra; 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Chara Phita & Ghoda Sarathi Lagi; 4:00 pm Chariot pulling begins.
The week-long festival will continue with a series of traditional rituals. Hera Panchami will be observed on July 20, followed by the Bahuda Yatra, or return journey, on July 24. The deities will adorn the golden attire during Suna Besha on July 25, followed by Adhara Pana on July 26 and Niladri Bije on July 27, marking their return to the temple.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has put in place elaborate security arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said 19 IPS officers and nearly 13,000 police personnel have been deployed across Puri. Fifteen companies of Central Armed Police Forces, including the CRPF, BSF, RAF and NSG, have also been stationed at key locations.
The DGP said comprehensive security and traffic management measures have been implemented as lakhs of devotees continue to arrive in Puri for the annual pilgrimage.
