Puri: The Pahandi rituals concluded and all the deities were escorted to the holy chariots for their return to abode after 9-day-long stay at Gundicha Temple.

All the rituals are being held three hours before the scheduled timings today.

Lord Jagannath was taken to His chariot Nandighosha in a ceremonial 'Dhadi Pahandi' following His siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan were escorted to their respective chariots in the morning.

publive-image Pahandi of Lord Balabhadra

publive-image Pahandi of Goddess Subhadra

publive-image Pahandi of Lord Jagannath

The devotees gathered around the chariots to have divine darshan of Lord Jagannath and His siblings. There is a belief that one attains salvation after having darshan of Lord Jagannath on chariot.

The chariots will be pulled at around 4.00 pm.

Notably, the Lords were on a 9-day vacation at Gundicha Temple during Ratha Jatra. The devotees were having darshan of the deities at Adapa mandap of the shrine during the week-long sojourn. The Prasad offered to the deities at Gundicha Temple is called Adapa Prasad.