Rath Yatra 2025: Pahandi Rituals of the Holy Trinity Begin in Puri

The holy town of Puri witnessed a divine spectacle on Friday as the Pahandi rituals, the ceremonial procession of the sibling deities of Shree Jagannath Temple, began amid chants, drumbeats, and spiritual fervour. Marking the commencement of Rath Yatra 2025, thousands of devotees gathered since early morning to participate in the deeply revered annual event.

Early Rituals Fill Devotees with Joy

This year, devotees expressed overwhelming happiness over the early start of rituals, allowing them to witness every sacred moment unfold in its full grandeur. The opportunity to pull the majestic chariots has added to the excitement, with pilgrims describing it as a divine blessing.

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Pahandi: The Ceremonial Procession of the Gods

The Pahandi Bije is one of the most sacred and visually captivating rituals of the Rath Yatra. The word "Pahandi" is derived from the Sanskrit term ‘Padamundanam’, meaning a slow, rhythmic movement of the feet.

During this ritual, the deities are brought out of the sanctum sanctorum of Shree Jagannath Temple in a grand ceremonial procession and taken to their respective chariots parked outside on the

Bada Danda (Grand Road)

As per age-old tradition, Lord Sudarsan is carried out first, followed by Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, while Lord Jagannath comes out last. The deities are carried on the shoulders of specially designated servitors known as Daitapatis with conch shells, gongs, mridangas, and chanting of hymns. The gods sway gently as they move, believed to reflect the rhythm of the divine dance.

For devotees, witnessing the Pahandi of Lord Jagannath is a deeply emotional and spiritual experience. Even a fleeting glimpse of the Lord as He emerges from the temple evokes tears, joy, and chants of “Jai Jagannath!” from the sea of pilgrims who pack every inch of space on the Grand Road.

A Journey of Faith Begins

As the sibling deities prepare to embark on their nine-day divine journey to the Gundicha Temple, Puri once again becomes a living canvas of devotion, tradition, and unity. The Pahandi ritual marks not just the beginning of Rath Yatra, but a symbolic reminder of the gods stepping out to mingle with their devotees, blurring the lines between the celestial and the earthly. Rath Yatra 2025 has begun not just with rituals, but with the collective heartbeat of millions, keeping alive the timeless tradition of Lord Jagannath’s eternal bond with his people.