Puri: As a sea of devotees gathered at the pilgrim town of Puri to witness Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and siblings, pulling of chariots carrying the deities was suspended midway after sunset on Thursday.
The deities of Shree Jagannath Temple will resume their journey
for Srigundicha Temple on Friday morning, officials said.
While Taladwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra first started rolling on the Grand Road at around 5.10 pm, Darpadalan of Devi Subhadra was next to follow. The Nandighosh chariot of Lord Jagannath was pulled for a short distance before the pulling was halted. Following this, chariot-pulling activities were suspended for the day as night set in.
Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra made a halt at Market Square while Darpadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra stopped at Marichikote Square. Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath travelled a few metres away from the Lions’ Gate of the 12th century shrine temple.
Temple servitors, devotees and police personnel first pulled Taladhwaja chariot on the Grand Road amid religious fervour and enthusiasm at around 5.10 pm, around an hour behind schedule. Darpadalan and Nandighosa chariots followed Taladhwaja chariot.