Lord joins siblings in Gundicha

Also Read

Tension erupts in Cuttack after bottles ‘thrown’ at MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain’s vehicle

4 hours ago

Experts stress disease surveillance to protect Odisha’s elephants

4 hours ago

Puri: Nandighosh chariot carrying lord Jagannath resumed its journey Sunday and reached Gundicha temple to join the two other chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
Braving the heavy rains lashing the pilgrim city since Saturday night, following a low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, hundreds of devotees pulled the chariot of Lord Jagannath which was stopped midway, Saturday, near Balagandi due to some technical problem.
The chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, however, had reached Gundicha temple Saturday.
Lakhs of devotees who have congregated in the pilgrim city to witness the car festival, offered dia(earthen lamps) to the deities. There was virtually a mad rush among the devotees to touch the chariots and seek the blessings of the Lords. The three presiding deities of the Sri Jagannath temple left their main abode for a nine day sojourn to the Gundicha temple.
Temple sources said rituals will be performed for the deities atop the chariots Sunday and the trinity will be taken to Gundicha temple in a ceremonial pahandi procession one after another Monday.
As the Nandighosh’, the chariot of Lord Jagannath started rolling this morning ‘Jai Jagannath’ and ‘hari bol’ rent the air amid beating of the gong and blowing of conch.
Despite a heavy downpour the anxious devotees who waited the night, joined the pulling of chariot this morning and it started rolling on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) and finally reached the Gundicha temple.
Elaborate security arrangement has been made around the three chariots and also inside the Gundicha temple for the smooth conduct of the festival.