In Pics: Lord Jagannath’s Nine Day Rath Yatra Begins in Puri

Lakhs of devotees throng to Puri to witness Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra.

Three decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. (Photo: ommcomnews/Twitter)

The Rath Yatra, the nine-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and goddess Subhadra began in Puri on Wednesday, replete with traditional fervour.

The presiding deity of Shri Mandir in Puri Lord Jagannath begins his nine-day journey to Gundicha temple with his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra on the second day of the fortnight of the month of Asadha, as per the Hindu calendar.

The legend goes that Lord Jagannath, the lord of the universe, comes out of the temple on this day every year to give audience to all his devotees who are barred from entering the temple.

A devotee in the attire of Lord Krishna posses for a photo near a chariot. (Photo: Harekrushna Pujari/Twitter)

Three chariots are tied with ropes and devotees pull the chariots to Gundicha temple. (Photo: Piyush Rout/Twitter)

Gajapati Maharaj Divyasingh Deb performs the ritual of cleaning the chariots with a golden broom. (Photo: Shri Jagannatha/Twitter)

Three chariots outside the Puri temple ready for the Car Festival. (Photo: Pawan Tiwari) 

‘Pahandi Bije’, the traditional procession of Lord Jagannath to the chariot. (Photo: Shri Jagannath/Twitter)

Devotees are pulling Lord Balabhadra’s chariot towards Gundicha temple. (Photo: Ommcomnews/twitter)

Lakhs of devotees throng to Puri for Rath Yatra. (Photo:Diana Sahu/Twitter)

Devotees offer prayer to the other deities in the chariot known as ‘Parswa Debata’. (Photo: Shri Jagannatha/Twitter)

The Shankaracharya of Puri, Swami Nischalananda Swaraswati on his way to the chariot of Lord Jagannath. (Photo: Shri Jagannatha/Twitter)