Bhubaneswar: Chariot pulling, said to be the main attraction of Lord Jagannath’s annual Rath Jatra, began at Odisha’s Puri town at around 5 pm today.

Servitors of the 12th century shrine, devotees and police personnel first pulled Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra towards Srigundicha temple on the Grand Road amid religious fervour and enthusiasm in the evening.

As per the tradition, Darpadalan Chariot of Devi Subhadra and Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath follow Taladhwaja chariot on the Grand Road.

The chariot pulling began after Puri King Dibyasingha Deb performed Chherapanhara (sweeping) ritual on the three chariots.

Earlier, Lord Jagannath, his siblings, Lord Sudarshan and a few subsidiary deities were brought to the chariots from the sanctum sanctorum of Srimandir through the ceremonial Pahandi procession.

This year, the Nabajouban Darshan and Netra Utsav rituals of the deities were performed on the day of Rath Jatra. A similar situation had last arisen in 1971.

Traditionally, the presiding deities of Srimandir embark on a journey to Srigundicha temple by riding their respective chariots for a nine-day sojourn on the occasion of Rath Jatra.

Lakhs of devotees from across the country and outside, including President Droupadi Murmu, Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, witnessed the mega event at the Holy Town.