Bhaunri Yatra celebrated with fanfare

Puri: Thousands of devotees thronged the coastal holy city on Wednesday as Bhaunri Yatra was observed with much fanfare.

The occasion of Bhaunri marks the first step for the Rath Yatra festival. The chariot makers ensure that they are ready with the six wheels and axles by this day every year.

Priests carried garlands belonging to Lord Jagannath to Rath Khala - the location where chariots are being constructed for Rath Yatra. This ritual was followed to begin the process of joining the wheels for making the chariots.

During the Bhaunri yatra, the boat ride of the representative deity of Lord Jagannath — Madana mohana — along with deities Sridevi and Bhudevi, in the Narendra pond was conducted.

The chariot makers consider auspicious days as their deadlines to complete different parts of the chariots. They will set up the body of the chariots on the occasion of Debasnana Purnima.