The servitors of Srimandir in Puri on Thursday performed the ‘Agyan Mala Bije’ rituals for the three chariots ahead of the world-famous Rath Yatra to be celebrated on Friday.
After bringing the Agyan Mala from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, the senior servitors went in a procession to the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and performed the rituals there. The ritual was performed on the occasion of ‘Ubha Jatra’.
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As per the age-old tradition, the three chariots—Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana were pulled from Rath Khala to Singha Dwara following the completion of the ritual. The chariots have been kept north-faced towards the Gundicha temple in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, with a day left for Lord Jagannath’s annual sojourn, all arrangements have been made by the administration. Chariot construction work has reached the final stage and chariots will be completely readied by Friday to take deities on a trip to their aunt’s house.
After a hiatus of two years due to Covid-19 pandemic, the devotees have been allowed to participate in Rath Yatra. Though Covid-19 is on a surge at a mild speed, lakhs of people soaked in devotion are expected to visit Puri to take part in the holy festival.
Police and district administration seem to have left no stone unturned to ensure smooth conduct of the annual festival.
Earlier a day before, Lord Jagannath and His siblings gave darshan to their devotees after falling sick for 15 days. Devotees heaved a sigh of relief after having darshan of the deities in their youthful looks famously known as Nabajoubana besha.