Puri, Jul 5: The Pahandi ritual for the Bahuda Yatra (return journey) of Lord Jagannath and his siblings concluded with the deities being carried in a ceremonial procession to their respective chariots.
The ceremonial ‘Pahandi’ rituals began at the Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri at around 10:10 am and concluded at around 12:30 pm, marking an important milestone.
As the air filled with the spiritual sounds of conches, gongs, and the rhythmic beating of cymbals, the holy Trinity Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra along with Chakraraj Sudarshan were brought out of the sanctum sanctorum in a grand procession and taken to their respective chariots for Rath yatra.
The proceedings began as per the traditional schedule with the Pahandi of Lord Sudarshan, the celestial weapon of Lord Vishnu, who was the first to be escorted to the Debadalana chariot as the sarathi. Following him, Lord Balabhadra made his way out in a similar ceremonial style to Taladwaja chariot, followed by Devi Subhadra to Debadalana chariot and finally, the presiding deity, Lord Jagannath to Nandighosha.
Immediately after, the deities Sri Madanmohan, Sri Ram, and Sri Krushna were seated in their respective chariots from 12:30 pm to 1 pm.
As the festivities progress, the Chhera Pahanra ritual is about to conclude. Later, the Charamalaphita ceremony was performed, and the horse and Sarathi will be fixed at 4 pm.
The chariot pulling will commence at 4 pm, marking the grand culmination of the rituals.
