Tag: Rath Yatra

Devotees, soaked in devotion are thronging Pilgrim Town Puri to get the glimpse of the Holy Trinity-Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra on Adapa Mandap of Sri Gundicha Temple.

For the return journey, the chariots are turned south toward the Jagannath Temple. So the ritual gets its name ‘Dakshina Moda or southward turn. 

The Dakhina Moda ritual (southward turn) of the three chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings parked outside the Gundicha temple in Puri is scheduled conducted today.

During the Nabami Sandhya Darshan, devotees will have the last chance of offering prayers to the deities on the Adapa Mandap as the sibling deities will return to their abode the next day. 

In 'Adapa Mandap Bije' ritual, which is observed a day after Rath Yatra, the deities are taken into the ‘Adapa Mandap’ inside the Gundicha temple. In fact, ‘Adapa Mandap’ is considered the birthplace of Lord Jagannath and His siblings. 

People from all walks of life participated in the pulling of the chariot and BJP National Vice President, Baijayant Panda also took part in the celebrations.

Though the chariot of Lord Balabhadra was pulled up to Gundicha temple yesterday, the pulling of chariots of Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra had to be halted yesterday.

Scores of devotees got the unique opportunity to have a glimpse of the deities atop their respective chariots for long hours. There was no drop in the energy and enthusiasm among the devotees who got a chance to witness the grand Rath Yatra.

According to sources, a woman devotee reportedly fell down on the grand road during the pulling of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot. Subsequently, a few other devotees stumbled upon each other.

Ratha Jatra is famous across the world as this splendid event witness the spectacular union of the Supreme Power and his devotees, irrespective of caste and religion. Ratha Jatra is much more than just a symbolic journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from Srimandir to the Gundicha temple.

The darshan of Lord and his sibling deities atop their respective chariots is unique and holds significance, particularly for those who cannot have a glimpse of the Mahaprabhu inside the Puri Srimandir.

The importance of 'Chhera Panhara' lies in the fact that Puri Gajapati Maharaja, who is considered as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, sweeps the chariots of the three deities parked on the Grand Road near Srimandir with a golden broom. 

On the Grand Road, some devotees in the get-up of Hindu Gods like Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva and some Odissi dancers performing in front of chariots are adding colours to the festival. 

Pahandi is of two types-Dhadi Pahandi and Goti Pahandi. 

Devotion is now in the air and the entire stretch of Bada Danda is agog with hopes and aspiration that unites devotees with the Lord Jagannath and his siblings- Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.