Puri: The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra began on Thursday in Puri with the Daitapati servitors escorting the deities to their respective chariots in ceremonial Pahandi procession.
The Pahandi ritual procession began with Lord Sudarshan. It will be followed by Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath. Pahandi is a ritual procession in which the deities are taken to the chariots from the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple.
The rituals are being conducted by the servitors as per the schedule fixed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
Meanwhile, the Daitapati servitors have already installed Lord Sudarshan on the Jagannath’s chariot Nandighosh. The Pahandi procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra is underway spiritual fervour.
The deities are driven on three majestic chariots, namely Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja of Balabhadra and Darpadalana of Subhadra to the Mausi Maa Temple or Gundicha Temple on their nine-day annual journey.
Elaborate security arrangements been made for the smooth conduct of the mega event in the pilgrim city.
