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.
For the uninitiated, a total of 148 festivals are celebrated in the temple annually. Of them, 12 are yatras, 28 are upa yatras and 108 are festivals.
Lakhs of devotees have also converged on the Bada Danda, the Grand Road in Puri which is now bustling with activities ahead of the ceremonial pahandi of Lord Jagannath and his siblings- Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
Rath Yatra, the annual sojourn of Lord Jagannath and His siblings Goddess Shubhadra and Lord Balabhadra from Srimandir to Gundicha Temple (their aunt's
After completion of anabasara rituals of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra at Srimandir, devotees throng shrine in large to witness Nabajaubana besha of the Holy Trinity.
Chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Devi Subhadra taking shape at the Bada Danda in Puri.
Lord Jagannath along with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra & sister Devi Subhadra adorned Hati Besha.
Lord Lagannath and his sibling’s holy bath ceremony
At a time when complaints of unscheduled power cuts are pouring in from different parts of the state and the residents of Puri city and devotees were a worried lot, Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena’s assurance came as a huge relief for them.
As per the timetable, the Parimanik Ticket Darshan started at 8 am and will continue for an hour. The Parimanik Darshan ticket holders will enter the shrine through the South Gate.
Keeping the heat wave conditions in view, the administration has made elaborate arrangements. While it has stocked about 25 lakh water bottles, volunteers have been roped in to distribute them among the devotees at the grand road and the sea beach.
In the chariot construction, a total of 46 Maharana servitors, 16 labourers, four blacksmiths and two cutters are engaged. Similarly, the temple and district administrations have made elaborate arrangements for the festival.
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