Rath Yatra festival begins in Puri

Puri (Orissa), June 24 (PTI) The Rath Yatra festival of
Lord Jagannath got off to a colourful start Wednesday with the
presiding deities of the 12th century temple here, in the
eastern coastal Indian state of Orissa, taken out in a grand
procession.

Thousands of devotees gathered to have a glimpse of the
grand spectacle amid unprecedented security.

In a rhythmic movement, the deities of Lord Balabhadra,
Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were taken out in a grand
procession called 'pahandi'. First Balabhadra, then Subhadra
and finally Jagannath were taken out of the temple, down the
22 steps known as 'baisi pahacha' and through the Lion's gate.

The deities of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord
Jagannath adorned the gigantic chariots Taladhwaja, Darpadalan
and Nandighosha respectively, which had been stationed at the
'Simhadwara' (Lion's gate) before being pulled by devotees.

The annual celebrations began Wednesday morning with a
set of rituals including 'mangala arati', 'mailam' and 'vesha'
followed by 'surya puja' (worship of Sun God) and offering of
'bhogas'.

Outside the temple main gate, consecration ceremony of
the three chariots was performed.

The temple was thrown open to public Tuesday for 'naba
jaubana darshan' of the deities.

After the 'pahandi' ceremony, Gajapati Maharaja of Puri
Sri Dibyasingha, regarded as the living incarnation of Lord
Jagannath on earth, swept the floors of each of the chariots
with a golden broom. The ritual is known as 'cherra pahanra'.

Amidst cries of 'Jai Jagannath' and sound of clanging
cymbals, the deities began their annual nine-day sojourn to
the Gundicha temple, about 8,300 feet away.

The majestic wooden chariots carrying the deities were
draped in yards of red, black, green and yellow cloth.

While the 45-feet-high 'Nandighosh' has 16 huge wooden
wheels, the 44-feet-high 'Taladhwaja' has 14 wheels.
Subhadra's 43-feet-high ratha 'Darpadalan' has 12 wheels.

Meanwhile, 5,700 security personnel were deployed here to
thwart any possible terrorist attack. Special arrangements
were also made in the wake of the stampede that claimed six
lives during Rath yatra last year, official sources said. PTI