Bhubaneswar: Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are all set to embark on their journey to Srigundicha temple for a nine-day sojourn on the occasion of Rath Jatra at Odisha’s Puri town on July 7 (Sunday).

The Puri district administration and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) have made all arrangements for the smooth conduct of the annual mega festival.

The three chariots—Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Darpadalan—have been kept ready at the Lions’ Gate of Srimandir to carry the deities to Srigundicha temple.

As per the schedule, the Nabajouban Darshan and Netrostav rituals of the deities will be performed on the day of Rath Jatra this year. A similar situation had last arrived in 1971.

Servitors of the 12th century shrine will start performing the rituals of the deities at around 2 am on July 7. The Pahandi procession of the deities is scheduled to begin at 1.10 pm after the completion of all routine and special rituals at Srimandir.

Gajapati king Dibyasingha Deb will perform the ceremonial Chherapanhara ritual on the chariots at 4 pm. Finally, the chariot pulling will start at 5 pm.

The Puri district administration, meanwhile, issued a detailed crowd mobility plan for the mega event.

As per the guidelines, all devotees will approach the chariots on the Grand Road from the Hospital Square and Market Square side.

The crowd coming from Balisahi Road will be diverted to the Grand Road either through Banamber Chhak or Market Chhak. However, no reverse flow will be allowed on this route.

There will be no entry of crowd from Gadanti Chhak towards Uttar Dwar. Similarly, there will be no entry of crowd from Marchikote Lane, Raja Nahar Gali, Suara Sahi Gali, Grand Centre/ Apartment Gate and Matimandapsahi Road, said the district administration.

Ritual                                                 Timing

Mangala Alati                                     2 am

Netrostav                                            4 am

Surya Puja                                           5.10 am

Besa                                                      5.45 am

Sakala Dhoopa                                   7 am

Mangalarpan                                      1 pm

Pahandi                                                 1.10 pm

Chherapanhara                                     4 pm

Chariot pulling                                        5 pm