Rath Yatra Rolls

Puri: Lakhs of devotees have thronged the pilgrim town Puri to witness the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on Tuesday, Various rituals are being carried out.

The three majestic chariots now stand tall in front of the Singha Dwar of the temple facing East towards Gundicha temple. They have been kept ready and will be pulled by devotees this afternoon.

The Taladhwaja Rath for Lord Balabhadra, the Darpadalan Rath for Goddess Subhadra and the Nandighosa Rath for Lord Jagannath each have their own colours, height, diameter, wooden horses, guardian deities and even charioteers.

The rituals began with 'Mangala Arati' at 6 a.m., followed by 'Mailam' and 'Vesha', 'Rosha Homa' and 'Surya Puja' - all part of rituals. Then 'Gopal Bhog' and 'Khichidi Bhog' was offered to the deities.

'Pahandi' of the deities started by 10 a.m. while Chherapahanra of the chariots by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb would be performed by 3.30 p.m. After fixing wooden horses to the chariots, the pulling is scheduled to start in the afternoon from 4 p.m.

Lord Balabhadra leads the chariot procession riding Taladhwaja followed by Devi Subhadra in Darpadalana. Lord Jagannath would go riding Nandighosa in the end.