Pomp and gaiety was on the peak in the pilgrim city of Puri on Saturday with lord Jagannath and His siblings, lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra setting out their much-awaited annual sojourn to the Gundicha Temple sitting atop their chariots.
More than an hour before the scheduled time of 4 pm, the chariots namely the Nandighosh of lord Jaganath, the Taladhwaja of lord Balabhadra and the Devidalan of Devi Subhadra began moving from the Signhadwara (lions’ Gate) amidst resounding hymn of “Haribol” and “Jai Jagannath”.
After the Dahukas (crews), who were standing on the horses of chariots, waved canes, devotees lifted the ropes from the ground and drew as chariots headed on accelerating their speed. Two chariots reached the Gundicha Temple while the chariot of lord Jagannath was on the way near Balagandi.
Rains in the early afternoon did not dampen the spirit of a sea of humanity during the movement of the chariots on the 2.5-km Badadanda (Grand Road).
like other normal days, the servitors accomplished all the morning rituals of deities one after other starting from 6 am. First was the Mangal Arati (morning lighting). Then Mailam (tooth-brushing and bathing), Surya Puja (worship of Sun God), Dwarapala Puja (worship of securities at gate), Balabha Bhog (breakfast) and Dhupa (lunch) etc, were practiced as per schedule. In lunch, the deities were offered Khechudi prepared by the chief cook. At 9 am, lord Sudarshan was first to start His Pahandi Beji towards the lion Gate followed by elder Balabhadra, sister Subhadra and younger Jagannath who proceeded amidst beating of drums and ringing of cymbals. More than a hundred of servitors from all sects took part in the Pahandi Bije, who carried forward the deities in a queue. They made deities climb atop chariots and affixed them on their seats.
Before the chariots were pulled, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Dev of Puri observed his ‘Chherapahanra’ ritual, (holy sweeping) starting from Taladhwaj, then Nandighosh and Debidalan at last. Deb offered special prayer to the deities. To conduct his annual ritual, the Gajapati came from his palace with royal attire sitting on a decorated palanquin.
Around dozens of people carried the Gajapati onto the chariots keeping the palanquin on their solders. Before the king’s visit, Jagatguru Sankarachrya Nischilananda Sarawati had reached the lion Gate and offered prayers on the chariots surrounded by his traditional officials. On advice of the Rajaguru, the Gajapati observed his rites on the chariots.
Governor Ganeshi lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik participated in chariot pulling. Among other dignitaries, the Chief Justice of Odisha Vneet Sarin, Agriculture Minister Pradip Maharathy, law Minister Pratap Jena, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Arukh etc were present. DGP RP Sharma who was present at the lions’ Gate led the police forces.