Puri Ratha Jatra in Pics: Pahandi Bije rituals of Lord Jagannath, Holy Siblings

Puri: With the 9-day long Ratha Jatra began today with end of rituals of Netra Utsav and Nabajouban darshan in the morning, Lord Jagannath and His Holy Siblings were placed atop their respective chariots following 'pahandi bije' rituals conducted by servitors.

The ceremonial procession began at around 11.30 AM amid sounds of gongs, cymbals and mridangam reverberating the sky.

First idol of Chakraraj Sudarshan (Lord Vishnu's weapon) was carried in a pahandi to Devi Subhadra's chariot 'Darpadalan'. Later, Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath were taken to Taladhwaja and Nandighosh chariots respectively in a 'dhadi pahandi'. Devi Subhadra was escorted to Her chariot in 'sunya pahandi' by the servitors. The rituals were completed by 2.30 pm.