Puri: The three chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath rolled on the grand road of the pilgrim city amidst lakhs of devotees After a gap of two years, devotees were allowed in the Rath Jatra.
The rituals were started at 3 am and completed ahead of schedule.
Amidst the blowing of conches, the beating of cymbals, and slogans, the grand procession (Pahandibije) of the three deities began at 6.15 am and was completed at 9.15 am.
Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performed the ‘Chhera Pahanra’ ritual, the ceremonial ritual of sweeping the three chariots with a golden broom.
The pulling of the chariots, Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra, Darpadalana chariot of Devi Subhadra, and Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath started at around 1 pm.
Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Justice of Orissa High Court Dr S Muralidhar pulled the Nandighosha chariot.
The chariots reached the Gundicha Temple at 7 pm.