Puri: Lakhs of devotees have thronged the piligrim city of Puri to witness Rath Yatra which is one of the major festivals in Odisha. As per schedule, the rituals began for the chariot festival much early Saturday.
Amid loud chants of gongs and Hari Bol, the Pahandi began with the idol of Lord Sudarshan being escorted to Goddess Subhadra’s chariot. Lord Balabhadra is also being taken out of the sanctum in a grand procession to his chariot-the Taladhwaja.
Lakhs of devotees waited outside the 12th century shrine to have a glimpse of the Trinity–Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra since early morning.
Senior officials of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) informed that the rituals began with the Mangala Alati and were followed by Mailama, Tadapalagi and Rosa Homa. Later, Abakash rituals, Surya Puja and Dwarapala puja were conducted as per the tradition.
