Puri, July 16: Amid the resounding chants of "Jai Jagannath" and the devotion of lakhs of pilgrims, the annual Rath Yatra 2026 was celebrated with great fervour in Puri on Thursday.

The three majestic wooden chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra rolled along the Grand Road (Bada Danda), marking the beginning of the deities' nine-day journey to the Gundicha Temple.

Devotees from across India and several foreign countries gathered in the holy town to witness one of the world's largest and most revered religious festivals. The atmosphere reverberated with the blowing of conches, the beating of cymbals and gongs, and the chanting of hymns as the deities embarked on their annual sojourn.

The day's rituals began inside the Jagannath Temple in the morning. Following the completion of traditional ceremonies, the temple servitors escorted Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarsana from the sanctum to their respective chariots in the ceremonial procession known as Pahandi. The procession drew loud cheers from devotees who lined the Grand Road to catch a glimpse of the deities.

The deities were then seated on their decorated chariots—Nandighosa for Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja for Lord Balabhadra and Darpadalana for Devi Subhadra. Each year, these towering wooden chariots are newly constructed following centuries-old traditions.

A key highlight of the festival was the performance of the sacred Chhera Panhara ritual by Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb. As part of the age-old tradition, the titular king ceremonially swept the floors of the three chariots with a golden broom, symbolising humility and equality before the divine.

Following the completion of all rituals, devotees began pulling the gigantic chariots along Bada Danda towards the Gundicha Temple. Lord Balabhadra's chariot, Taladhwaja, was the first to roll out from the entrance of the Jagannath Temple, accompanied by devotional chants and the sounds of conches and traditional percussion instruments.

Soon after, Devi Subhadra's chariot, Darpadalana, began its journey, followed by the much-awaited movement of Lord Jagannath's chariot, Nandighosa. As the Lord of the Universe appeared on his towering chariot to bless the devotees, the air echoed with continuous chants of "Jai Jagannath," creating a spiritually charged atmosphere.

The Rath Yatra marks the beginning of the annual nine-day stay of the sibling deities at the Gundicha Temple, where thousands of devotees will continue to offer prayers before their return journey during the Bahuda Yatra.