The stage is set for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra in Puri on Monday. The pulling of the chariots towards the Gundicha Temple is scheduled to begin at 3 pm.
On Sunday, the temple servitors brought the three decorated chariots from the Rath Khala (chariot construction ground on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) and positioned them before the temple’s Simhadwar (Lions Gate)Like last year, the Lords’ Car Festival will be held without participation of devotees in view of the Covid-19 situation. The chariots this time will be pulled by servitors only. Last year, the cars had been pulled by servitors and police personnel.
Puri Sankaracharya Nischilananda Saraswati would be present at the Lions Gate to perform his traditional rites. On Sunday, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar formally invited him for the purpose.
DG of Police Abhay reviewed the security arrangements in Puri on Sunday. Sources said that as many as 65 platoons of police force would be deployed during the festival. With a three-layer security cover on the Bada Danda, the pilgrim city is under CCTV surveillance to avert any untoward incident. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has fixed the following schedule for the rituals of the festival: Pahandi Bije at 8.30 am and Pahandi ritual conclusion at 11.30 am. Madan Mohan Bije at 12 noon to 12.30 pm. Chita Lagi at 12.30 pm to 1 pm. Chhera Pahanra at 12.45 pm to 2 pm. Detachment of Chara Mala from chariots, attachment of wooden horses and Sarathi to chariots at 2 pm to 3 pm. Pulling of the chariots at 3 pm.