Bhubaneswar: Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra embarked on their journey to Srigundicha temple for a nine-day sojourn on the occasion of Ratha Jatra at Odisha’s Puri town today. 

The deities rode three massive wooden chariots—Nandighosa,Taladhwaja and Darpadalan—on the Grand Road to travel to the Srigundicha temple.

The three chariots were pulled towards the Srigundicha temple from the Lions’ Gate of Srimandir on the Grand Road in the afternoon. Prior to this, Gajapati King Dibyasingha Deb performed Chhera Panhara (ceremonial sweeping) on the chariots.

However, the pulling of the chariots was halted midway as the evening set in. The deities will resume their journey for Srigundicha temple tomorrow (June 28) morning.

The Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra and Darpadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra covered some distance on the Grand Road but the Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath barely moved a few metres.

“The pulling of the three chariots will resume at 9.30 am on June 28,” said the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

Earlier in the day, the sibling deities were escorted to their respective chariots from the 12th century shrine through the ceremonial Pahandi procession.

Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad congregated at the seaside town to witness the Car Festival. Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and many other dignitaries took part in the annual festival at Puri.

The state government as well as the SJTA made elaborate arrangements for the smooth organisation of Ratha Jatra. As many as 200 platoons of police force (Around 10,000 police personnel) and several senior officials of the Odisha Police were deployed at the Holy Town to maintain law and order during the festival.

As per the schedule, the Deities will return to the Lions’ Gate of Srimandir from Srigundicha temple by riding their chariots on the occasion of Bahuda Jatra on July 5.

The deities will be adorned with Suna Besha (Golden Attire) on their respective chariots on July 6.

Lord Jagannath and his siblings will be offered Adhara Pana (a delicious drink) on their chariots on June 7.

The deities will be taken back to the sanctum sanctorum of Srimandir from the chariots through the Pahandi procession on the occasion of Niladri Bije on July 8.