Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, July 6:

A sea of humanity today descended at the holy town to witness the world famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath and His siblings in Odisha’s Puri.

puri rath yatra

After the Nabajouban darshan and Netrotsav yesterday, the deities came out of the 12th century edifice for the grand Car festival to embark on a nine-day journey to Mousima Temple (aunt’s place).

Amid the synchronous beating of gongs and chanting of Jay Jagannath, the religious fervor reached a crescendo along the Grand Road.

The sea of people swelled with every passing moment despite the sultry conditions in the beach town. At least three dozen people took ill due to the maddening rush and high levels of humidity. Several voluntary organisations were spraying water on the crowd giving much-needed respite from the sweltry conditions.

The grand festivity began with the rituals of the Lords completed well in time by the Daitapatis, who performed the Mangalaalati of the Lords at 6 am, Mailam at 6.10 am, Tadapa Lagi at 6.30 am, Rosha Homa at 6.30 am, Abakasha Niti at 7 am, Surya Puja at 7.10 am, Dwarapala Puja at 7.30 am.

The Lords were later offered with Gopala Ballav and Sakala Dhupa (Khechudi Bhoga) between 8 am and 9 am.

After the Ratha (chariot) Pratistha and Mangalarpana, the pahandi of the Lords began at around 10 am with the pahandi of Lord Sudarshan in which the Daitapatis took the Lord to the Darpadalan, the chariot of Devi Subhadra. The Daitapatis later brought Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath on pahandi.

The idol or Lord Jagannath reached the Baisi Pahacha (22 steps inside the temple precincts) at around 11.35 am. He was brought in a swaying movement called pahandi surrounded by servitors with ceremonial fans.

Lord Balabhadra climbed the Charamala (the ladder) at 12 pm and moved to the Taladhwaja chariot. Devi Subhadra embarked on Devadalana at 12.45 pm with the servitors carrying Her on their shoulders to the pedestal. Lord Jagannath boarded the Nandighosha chariot at 2 pm with chanting of Jay Jagannath reverberating in the air.

With the mounting of Lord Jagannath, the pahandi of the Lords was concluded at 2 pm, about one hour behind the schedule.

After the pahandi of the three deities, the Daitapatis placed Lord Madan Mohan beside Lord Jagannath at 2.20 pm and Lord Ramakrushna was placed beside Lord Balabhadra at 2.40 pm.

Earlier in the day, the neta (flag) atop the Nandighosha chariot snapped from the top giving rise to apprehensions among the servitors of possible bad omen.

“I found the neta fastened atop Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot on the ground. It could be a caution or sign for something bad to happen in future,” a servitor expressed.

Similar sentiments were echoed by other servitors in the Pilgrim town.

The Shankaracharya of Gobardhan Peeth Swami Nischalananda Saraswati with his disciples mounted the three chariots and had the darshan of the Lords at 3 pm.

At around 3.10 pm, Gajapati Maharaj Divyasingh Dev set out on a palanquin from his palace for the chariots to perform the rituals.

The Chhera Panhara—the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots with golden broom—of the three chariots was performed by the Gajapati King at 3.30 pm and the rituals were over at 4.20 pm. In the meantime, Daitapatis dismantled the Charamala from the chariots besides fastening the wooden horses and sarathis.

Prior to the pulling of the chariots, the ropes—Basuki Naga (Taladhwaja), Sankhachuda Naguni (Nandighosha) and Swarnachuda Naguni (Darpadalana) were tied to the juggernauts.

With all eyes waiting anxiously to witness the pulling of the chariots, the Taladhwaja chariot started rolling at 4.43 pm, 1 hour 13 minutes behind schedule.

Devi Subhadra’s chariot began its journey for Gundicha Temple followed by Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosh at 5.20 pm and 6 pm respectively.

The pulling of the three chariots, however, was called off as the evening set in. The Taladhwaja chariot was stopped near Balagandi Square, the Darpadalan chariot was stopped near Bagala Dharmashala and Nandighosa chariot was halted near Shri Nara, where the royal palace of Gajapati Maharaj is situated.

The chariots will resume their journey to Gundicha Temple tomorrow morning, the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration said.