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Lord Jagannath starts his last ride for the millennium

Tens of thousands devotees from across the country thronged the holy city of Puri to witness the millennium's last rath yatra (car festival).

The three-km Grand Road known as 'bada danda', from the 12th century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, was packed from early Wednesday morning. Devotees waited to have a glimpse of the three presiding deities -- Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balavadra and sister Devi Subhadra -- being taken out in chariots from the sanctum sanctorum for a nine-day sojourn.

Amid chanting of 'Haribol' and 'Jai Jagannath', the deities were taken out by the servitors to the chariots in the ceremonial Pahandi bije.

While Lord Balavadra was taken to the Taladhwaja chariot, Devi Subhadra moved to the Deba dalan chariot and Lord Jagannath to the Nandighosh chariot.

The morning rituals began early morning with the Mangal arati and Surya puja (sun worship). The ceremonial Pahandi bije followed.

The ceremony is being telecast live by Doordarshan for the benefit of devotees all over the country.

According to the rituals, after the Cherra pahanra (cleaning of the chariots) by Gajapati Dibya Singh Deb of Puri, the chariots would be pulled from the Lions Gate to the Grand Road for its final destination, the Gundicha Temple.

After nine days in the Gundicha Temple, the trinity would return to their original abode.

Security arrangements in and around the temple and on all roads leading to the holy city have been tightened. Metal detectors were installed near the temple gates and sniffer dogs pressed into service.

UNI

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