Puri, June 28: The sacred Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath resumed today as the chariots of the Holy Trinity began rolling down the Grand Road (Bada Danda) towards the Gundicha Temple, a day after being unexpectedly halted midway.
Soaked in spiritual fervour, lakhs of devotees enthusiastically pulled the majestic chariots, echoing the holy chants of ‘Hari Bol’ amidst the rhythmic sounds of gongs and conches. The divine procession resumed with Lord Balabhadra’s chariot Taladhwaja moving first from Balagandi Chhak, the spot where it was stopped on Friday evening.
Shortly after, the chariots of Devi Subhadra (Darpadalan) and Lord Jagannath (Nandighosha) followed, making their way slowly but steadily towards the Gundicha Temple, their annual sojourn destination.
The three chariots had come to an abrupt halt the previous evening for reasons yet to be officially clarified. While Taladhwaja and Darpadalan had progressed a fair distance along the Grand Road, the Nandighosha chariot had barely moved a few steps before all movement ceased.
As dusk fell on Friday, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) decided to suspend the chariot pulling for the day, citing safety and ritual protocol concerns, and announced that the Yatra would resume the following morning.
The Rath Yatra, one of the most revered festivals in the Hindu calendar, commemorates Lord Jagannath’s annual journey to his aunt’s abode at the Gundicha Temple. This year, despite the momentary pause, the faith and devotion of the devotees remained unshaken, with thousands gathering again to witness the divine spectacle continue today.
Temple authorities have ensured that all rituals are being conducted in adherence to tradition and are expected to complete the journey by evening.
