Puri: Rath Yatra is underway in Puri. Here are the live updates of the world-famous festival of the sibling deities, who are about to embark on their annual sojourn.
This year, the festival is being organised without any congregation of devotees in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
5.12 pm: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed happiness over the timely completion of the chariot pulling ritual in Puri. He thanked the sevayats, temple administration, district administration and the police for ensuring smooth conduct of the festival amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also had a word of praise of the denizens of Puri who cooperated with the administration for strict adherence to the Supreme Court’s directive.
5.10 pm: Lord Jagannath on his magnificent Nandighosa joins elder brother Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra at Gundicha Temple.
1.55 pm: Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath rolls on Bada Danda in Puri.
12:59 pm: Devi Subhadra follows brother Lord Balabhadra in her chariot Darpadalana towards Gundicha Temple
12.05 pm: Pulling of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot Taladhwaja begins
12 pm: Servitors prepare for chariots pulling after Chherapanhara ritual concludes. The charamala (ladder) of the three chariots will be unlocked and wooden horses and the horsemen fixed to them.
10:37 am – Chherapanhara ritual performed by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb:
10:18 am – Puri Govardhan Peeth Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati atop the chariots.
8:55 am: Pahandi rituals of Lord Jagannath
8:49 am: Devi Subhadra ushered onto the chariot
8:35 am: Pahandi rituals of Lord Balabhadra
7:35 am: Pahandi rituals begin with Lord Sudarshan being escorted to the chariot of Devi Subhadra.
7:00 am: Administration cleans Badadanda before the festival begins.
