Over 10 lakh devotees witness Lord Jagannath’s annual Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri

By Biswa Ranjan Mishra

Puri (Odisha), July 1: As expected, around 10 lakh devotees from across the country and abroad on Friday thronged Odisha’s pilgrim city Puri to Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra. Rath Yatra is a nine-day annual festival of Lord Jagannath. The first day is called Srigundicha Yatra or Ghosa Yatra. This marks commencement of Lord’s journey from Srimandir to Srigundicha temple.

The concluding day is called Bahuda Yatra or day of return to original place.

On the first day, Lord Jagannath and His siblings – Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra – ride three well-decorated chariots from Srimandir to Srigundicha temple on a nine-day annual sojourn.

Srigundicha temple is the residing place of the deities’ aunt, Gundicha.

During the Rath Yatra, people of all sections are allowed to see and offer prayers to the deities on the chariots.

All the rituals, including the Chhera Panhara (sweeping) of the three chariots with gold broomsticks by Puri’s king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, were completed as the schedule following which the devotees pulled the chariots along the Grand Road which is famously known as Badadanda.

Lord Jagannath’s chariot is called Nandighosha while Lord Balabhadra’s chariot is called Taladhwaja. Devi Subhadra’s chariot is named Darpadalan.

After spending nine days at their aunt’s place, the deities return to Srimandir. The return journey is known as Bahuda Yatra.

The sea of devotees jostled to have a glimpse of the deities on the chariots it is believed that a darshan of the gods on the cars leads to freedom from rebirth.

A host of dignitaries, including Odisha governor Professor Ganeshi Lal, chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, judges of various courts and senior officials of the state government were present in the city to witness the majestic spiritual journey of Lord Jagannath and His siblings.