An aura of devotion pervaded across the Bada Danda in Puri for the much-awaited divine journey of Lord Jagannath to Gundicha Temple. This year, the festival is a memorable reunion of devotees with the Lord as participation of devotees in the festival has been allowed this time after a gap of two years. Devotees were not allowed to participate in the Rath Yatra due to Covid-19 restrictions clamped by the government. All the four deities including Lord Sudarsan together known as the Chaturdha Murati seated atop their chariots embarked on the nine-day-long annual sojourn. Lakhs of devotees have been witnessed thronging the pilgrim town of Puri to witness the mega spectacle.
Though Srimandir belongs to Puri, the Rath Yatra is not confined to the pilgrim town only. Thanks to the scores of invaders, mainly Moghuls who looted the temple (Srimandir) and tried to dethrone Lord Jagannath, the idols were shifted many times to secret and safe places. One of these places is Kankana Sikhari, amid Asia’s largest brackish waterbody Chilika lake.
Lord Jagannath reached Gundicha Temple on his magnificent Nandighosa chariot and joined his siblings- Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra- at their aunt's place.
If you go to Puri and due to some reasons, you can’t go into Srimandir to have a darshan of Lord Jagannath, don’t get disheartened. For devotees like you, there is a temple in the holy town itself where you can worship Lord Jagannath and, as it is believed, it will give you the same happiness and satisfaction as you would have experienced inside Srimandir.
After Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja, the chariot of Devi Subhadra 'Darpadalana' reached Gundicha temple. Both the siblings are now awaiting Kalia Thakura who is expected to reach their aunt's place in a while.
Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra arrived at its destination, Gundicha temple in Puri.
As the Badadanda (Grand Road) in Puri witnessed a sea of devotees on Rath Yatra on Friday, a green corridor was created to facilitate ambulance movement in emergencies.
Renowned sand artist Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik has created 125 sand chariots and a sculpture of Lord Jagannath on Puri sea beach on the occasion of Rath Yatra.
The chants of Haribol, Jay Jagannath and the defeaning sounds of cymbals, gongs made the atmosphere on Bada Danda electrifying as Nandighosha, the chariot of Kalia Thakura marched on towards the Gundicha Temple.
Devi Subhadra decked up on her Darpadalana chariot began her journey to Gundicha Temple. A massive stretch of crowd ushered the Goddess' rath on the Puri Bada Danda.
Lord Balabhadra seated on his majestic Taladhwaja chariot is the first among the Holy Trinity to set out its journey to Gundicha Temple as the pulling of raths kicked off in Puri. The mega event attended by lakhs of devotees for the first time after two years filled the pilgrim town with an aura of devotion and chants of Haribol and O Bhakate.
All the three chariots parked in front of Puri Srimandir are ready to be pulled by devotees on Bada Danda on the occasion of Gundicha Jatra of Lord Jagannath. After the conclusion of Pahandi rituals, the loosening of the stairs, a niti called Charamala Phita and fastening of horse statues on the chariots have begun.
Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performed the most eye-catching ritual, the Chhera Panhara atop the three chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Jagannath and Devi Subhadra. As per tradition, the King swept the floors of the raths with a golden handle broom as the foremost servitor of the Lords.
Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb arrived at the three chariots on his royal palanquin from the Raja Nahara (royal palace) to perform his duty as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath.
Puri Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati offered his prayers to the three deities atop their respective chariots before the commencement of pulling of chariots.
President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi and other eminent personalities extended their heartiest greetings to people on the occasion of the world-famous Rath Yatra today. Read more...
The magnificent Pahandi rituals of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities saw a spectacular conclusion as the annual Gundicha Jatra of the Gods commenced on Friday. The Chaturdha Murati have been placed atop their bedecked chariots which will be pulled by lakhs of devotees thronging the pilgrim town of Puri.
Lord Jagannath steps out of Puri Srimandir to make way towards his splendid Nandighosa chariot. The Lord will accompany his elder brother Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on a nine-day sojourn to Gundicha Temple.
After Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra is being escorted to her chariot- 'Debadalana' in ceremonial 'Pahandi'.
Pahandi of Lord Balabhadra also began ahead of the schedule at Puri Srimandir. The Bada Thakura is being ushered to his Taladhwaja chariot in a magnificent procession amid the chants of Haribol.
Devotees flock to Badadanda in large number to witness the annual sojourn of the Lord of the Universe and his siblings after a span of span of years.
Much ahead of the schedule, servitors began and concluded the Pahandi rituals of Lord Sudarsan.
Besides, Magala Alati and Mailama niti of Lord Jagannath were completed by 3.30 am. Other rituals proceeding are also being conducted smoothly around three hours ahead of the schedule.
Chariots of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are decked up and ready in front of the Puri Srimandir for their annual sojourn to Gundicha temple.
With a few hours left for the Trinity's Rath Yatra to begin, the Odisha Fire Service has mobilized one hydraulic platform, eight motor fire engines, eight water tanker, 15 quick response units, one rescue tender, one crane, three ambulances, 10 pumps for discharging water, five power boats, five underwater diving suits for effective fire protection and rescue duty during Srigundicha and Bahuda Yatra.
The wait is finally over. With a day left for Lord Jagannath’s annual sojourn, devotees just cannot wait to see the glimpse of the Trinity atop three chariots. Police and district administration seem to have left no stone unturned for the smooth conduct of Rath Yatra.
Anticipating a huge rush of devotees, the Ministry of Railways has planned to run 205 special trains to and from Puri during Rath Yatra period for smooth travel and convenience of pilgrims.
uri, popularly known as Jagannath dham, is one of the four divine sites for every Hindu. Here, Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, along with His siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra is worshipped in the world famous Srimandir.