The return Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was celebrated in the pilgrim town of Puri on Wednesday, with devotees pulling the chariots of the deities back to the Jagannath Temple from another shrine three kilometres away.
As the devotees pulled the ropes attached to the chariots, chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and the beating of cymbals rent the air. Many people danced and sought the blessings of the trinity by raising their hands. Lakhs of people have gone to Puri to witness the festival.
Three chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings - Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra - reached the Lion's Gate of the 12th-century temple from where they had gone on a nine-day sojourn to Shree Gundicha Temple, considered their birthplace, on June 20 – the day of Rath Yatra. The deities remained at Shree Gundicha Temple for seven days as part of the festival.
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After a ceremonial procession there, the deities were seated on the chariots. Gajapati Maharaj of Puri, Divya Singh Deb, who is also considered the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, then ritualistically swept the chariots with a broom with a golden handle.
During the return journey to the Jagannath temple, the chariots stopped for a while near the temple of the maternal aunt of Lord Jagannath. The deities were offered “Poda Pitha”, a cake made of coconuts, rice, jaggery and lentils.
The chariots then rolled towards the main temple. However, Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosh chariot stopped for a while near the titular king’s palace where Goddess Lakshmi had a glimpse of the Lord.
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The district administration of Puri had made elaborate security arrangements in the holy town. Expert swimmers were deployed at the beach as many tourists bathed in the sea.
Amid festivities and joy, at least six people were injured and hospitalised after the rope of one of the chariots snapped during pulling and they fell on the road. The condition of all the injured persons is stable, an official said.
Temple sources said the deities will remain seated on the chariots in front of the Lion’s Gate of the shrine for two more days. The 'Sunabesha' (golden attire) will be performed on June 29. Around 10 lakh devotees are expected to witness the Sunabhesa ritual, an official said. After another ritual on June 30, the deities will be taken back to the main temple on July 1 in a ritual called 'Niladri Bije'.
