Jagannath Rath Yatra: 8 Photos That Teleport You To The Vibrant Chariot Procession In Puri And Ahmedabad

The ceremonial 'Pahandi' ritual of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra commenced around 11 am on Sunday, marking the beginning of the Rath Yatra. 

Following Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra was taken to his Taladhwaja chariot, and Goddess Subhadra was brought to her Darpadalan chariot in a special procession by servitors. Lord Jagannath is moved towards the Nandighosa chariot in a ceremonial procession, accompanied by the sounds of gongs, completing the line-up of the deities. 

Amid 'Jai Jagannath' chants, the sounds of gongs, conches, and cymbals filled the air at Lion's Gate of the Puri temple, as Lord Sudarshan was first escorted to Darpadalan, the chariot of Devi Subhadra. 

Descending from the 'Ratna Sinhasana', the bejewelled throne, the three deities were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as 'Baisi Pahacha' through the Lion's Gate in an elaborate royal ritual called 'Pahandi'. 

The three majestic chariots stood tall in front of the Singha Dwar of the temple, facing east towards the Gundicha temple in Puri, ready for the procession. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted the 'Mangla Aarti,' while Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the 'Pahind Vidhi,' the ritual of sweeping the path with a golden broom, as the chariots emerged from the 400-year-old Lord Jagannath temple in the Jamalpur area. 

Before the presiding deities set out from the sanctum sanctorum, several customary rituals like 'Mangla Arati' and 'Mailam' were performed. 

Lord Balabhadra led the procession, followed by Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath. Lakhs of devotees, including President Droupadi Murmu, thronged Puri to witness the two-day Rath Yatra, a historic event occurring after 53 years.