Puri: The nine-day annual sojourn of the sibling deities of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri began around 4.45 pm, with the pulling of Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra by lakhs of devotees, who congregated at Bada Danda (Grand Road) on Sunday.
President Droupadi Murmu, Governor Raghubar Das and Chief Minister Mohan Majhi also joined them in pulling the Rath as the entire stretch of Grand Road was transformed into an ocean of humanity against the backdrop of three colourful chariots and the 12th-century shrine decked up with flowers.
The pulling of the chariots started after the sevayats opened the charamala (ladder) of the three chariots and fixed wooden horses to them.
This year, the event will be held over two days due to a unique celestial alignment with ‘Nabajouban Darshan’ and ‘Netra Utsav’ being observed on the same day along with Rath Yatra, in 53 years. While Nabajouban Darshan’ symbolises the youthful appearance of the deities after ‘Anasara’ (quarantine) period, deities’ eyeballs are freshly painted by priests during ‘Netra Utsav’. As per the temple almanac, the stipulated 15-day Anasar period of the deities was reduced to 13.
With the vital rituals being performed on the same day, the pulling of chariots was delayed than usual. Since chariots are not pulled after sunset as per tradition, these will be rolled to a short distance on Sunday. The pulling of chariots will resume on Monday morning and taken to Gundicha temple, where the Lords will spend the next eight days before returning to their abode.
Odisha Bytes takes you through the rituals prior to the pulling of the chariots of the Lords.
PAHANDI BIJE
The Pahandi (ceremonial procession) began with Sudarshan (the divine discus and weapon of Lord Jagannath) being brought atop Debadalana (the chariot of Goddesses Subhadra). Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were then taken to their respective chariots. Lord Sudarshana and Devi Subhadra are carried on the shoulders. Lord Jagannath came out of the Singhadwar (main gate of the temple) in Pahandi amid the rhythmic swaying of their Tahiya or the traditional headgear to the beat of cymbals and chanting by the devotees in frenzied ecstasy.
A wooden cross is fixed to their backs and thick silken ropes are tied around their heads and waists for this ceremonial procession.
A number of customary rituals like ‘Mangla Arati’ and ‘Mailam’ were held before the presiding deities were taken from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to the chariots.
CHHERAPAHARA
Ceremonial sweeping of the three chariots was performed by Puri Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb, considered as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath. “Chhera” is sprinkling of holy water and “Panhara” is sweeping. After the idols of the Lords are installed atop the chariots, the king sweeps the chariots of lords with a golden broom.
Following this, the wooden horses are fixed and Sarathis (charioteers) are mounted onto the three chariots.
DIGNITARIES AT RATH YATRA
President Droupadi Murmu, Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, his deputies – K V Singhdeo and Pravati Parida – and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan along with other dignitaries were at Puri to witness Rath Yatra. Former CM Naveen Patnaik also joined them in the celebration.
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