Rath Yatra 2025: Chariot pulling begins in Puri

After Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanada Saraswati visited the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra with his disciples and the Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb completed the 'Chhera Pahanra' (chariot sweeping) ritual, thousands of devotees pulled forward giant chariots from the 12th century Srimandir in Puri towards Gundicha temple in the grand occasion of the world famous Rath Yatra in Puri on Friday.

The wooden horses were fitted to the chariots and the servitor pilots (Sarathis) guided the devotees to pull the chariots in the right direction. Thousands of devotees first pulled the nearly 45-feet tall wooden chariot of Lord Balabhadra, named as 'Taladhwaja'. It was followed by the pulling of chariots of Devi Subhadra-'Darpa Dalana' and Lord Jagannath-Nandighosa.

As per reports, rhythmically beating brass cymbals and hand drums, the servitors surrounded the deities on the canopied grand chariots as the procession made its slow way through the grand road (Bada Danda) of the temple town.

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The air was rent with 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Haribol' as frenzied devotees tried to get a glimpse of the deities on the holy occasion.

Different artiste groups performed 'kirtans' (religious songs) and Odissi dance in front of the chariots before the pulling started.

Apart from the devotees from Odisha and the neighbouring states, many from abroad also joined in the grand festival which is considered one of the largest religious festivals globally. 

Earlier in the day, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra ascended their respective chariots in a popular ritual known as 'Pahandi Bije'.

It is believed that devotees get salvation after getting a glimpse of the deities atop the chariots during Rath Yatra in Puri.