Jagannath Rath Yatra begins in Puri, see the first divine glimpse in photos

The world’s most famous and huge Jagannath Rath Yatra has started. Even amidst the rain, people’s enthusiasm is not less. More than 5 lakh people have participated in the Rath Yatra.

Lord Balabhadra’s chariot Taladhwaj departs at the forefront of the Rath Yatra. Before the chariots move, Gajapati Maharaj of Odisha cleans all three chariots with a golden broom. This ritual is called Chhera Pahada.

After this, the chariot of Goddess Subhadra is launched in the middle and then at the end the chariot of Lord Jagannath is launched Nandighosh. Thousands of devotees pull the chariots of the Lord with the help of thick ropes. It is believed that pulling the rope of the chariot is auspicious.

Pahandi tradition is performed before the start of Rath Yatra. In this, the process of bringing the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to the chariot is called Pahandi. This is considered to be one of the most fascinating and emotional rituals of the Rath Yatra.

The traditional servants of the temple lift the idols of the Lord with the help of their shoulders and straps of thick clothes. The idols are slowly brought out of the Lion Gate, not together, but by swinging back and forth, in a dance-like motion.

When Jagannath Rath Yatra starts, it goes till Gundicha temple. Gundicha was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath, so every year he comes here to meet him. When Jagannath Rath Yatra returns, it is called Bahuda Yatra.