Puri, Jul 16: The sacred Pahandi ritual, one of the most significant ceremonies of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, commenced on Thursday as Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath were ceremonially are being brought out of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to carry them to their respective chariots amid chants of "Jai Jagannath" and the rhythmic beats of cymbals and gongs.

The centuries-old ritual marks the ceremonial procession of the Holy Trinity from the sanctum sanctorum to the magnificent wooden chariots stationed outside the Lion's Gate (Singhadwar), from where they will begin their journey to the Shree Gundicha Temple, located about 2.6 kilometres away.

The term Pahandi is derived from the Sanskrit word Padamundanam, which in the local Odia dialect refers to the slow, rhythmic, swaying movement made while walking with spread feet. The unique procession is characterised by the deities' graceful forward-and-backward movement, symbolising divine majesty.

Following the traditional Dhadi Pahandi sequence, Shri Sudarshan Chakra was taken out first, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and finally Lord Jagannath.

For the ceremonial procession, wooden supports are fastened to the backs of the deities, while thick silk ropes are tied around their heads and waists to help servitors carry and guide them through the temple precincts. As they reach the seven-step northern exit of the Natamandap, the deities are adorned with the magnificent Tahiya-large floral headgear traditionally offered by the Raghav Das Mutt.

While Shri Sudarshan and Goddess Subhadra are carried on the shoulders of servitors, Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath are ceremonially pulled and swayed through the temple complex. The procession passes through Pata Agana, Ananda Bazaar, the Inner Lion's Gate, Baishi Pahacha, Singhadwar, Gumuti, and Aruna Stambha before the deities are finally seated on their respective chariots.

The spiritually charged atmosphere reverberated with devotional chants, traditional music, and the enthusiastic participation of thousands of devotees gathered to witness the rare spectacle.

Following the completion of Pahandi, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb will perform the revered Chhera Pahanra ritual, in which he will ceremonially sweep the platforms of the three chariots with a golden broom. The ritual symbolizes humility and reinforces the belief that everyone is equal before Lord Jagannath.

The Rath Yatra, one of the world's largest and most revered religious festivals, attracts millions of devotees from across India and abroad every year.