Puri: July 06: The top angle view of Puri town was really looking like an ocean today. Bada danda or the Grand Road was simply not visible from the top, which was covered by lakhs and lakhs devotees, who have reached Puri to witness the Grand Festival of Lord Shree Jagannath. If we analyse the frontal view or the body language of the devotees, everybody’s eyes were speaking one thing i.e. the eagerness to see their God. Devotees were seen swinging with the beats of instruments and rhythmic chanting of ‘Jay Jagannath’. The ocean of people swelled with every passing moment despite the sultry conditions in the beach town.
As planned, all the rituals of the deities completed well in time. Daitapaties performed Mangalaalati,, Mailama, Tadapa Lagi, Rosha Homa, Abakasa Niti, Surya Puja, Dwarapala Puja by early in the morning. Next, Lords were offered Gopala Ballava and Sakala Dhupa, which were almost over by 9 am.
Further, just after Ratha Pratistha and Mangalarpana, the Pahandi of deities began at around 10.30pm. In ceremonial procession, Prabhu Sudarshana, Devi Subhadra, Lod Balabhadra and Lord Shree Jagannatha were brought to the respective chariots, which used to be the most important moment of each and every devotee. After the Pahandi of the three deities and Sudarshana, Daitapaties placed Lord Madana Mohana beside Lord Jagannatha and Lord Rama Krushna beside Lord Balabhadra. The Pahandi Parva was almost completed by 2.30pm.
The Shankaracharya of Gobardhana Peeth Swami Nischalananda Saraswati with his disciples had the darshan of Lords’ mounted in three chariots by 3.30pm. Next event was Chhera Panhara (the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots). Gajapati Divya Singh Dev, the King set out on a palinqin from his palace for the chariots to perform Chera Panhara and did the great ritual in time. Immediately, servitors dismantled the Charamala from the chariots as well as fastened the horses and Sarathis. Then, the most awaiting event arrived, the Pulling of Chariots began. Taladhwaja chariot started rolling at 4.43 pm and with minutes difference Devi Subhadra’ chariot and Lord Jagannath’ s Chariot started rolling with the synchronisation of lakhs of devotees voice, ‘Jay Jagannath’. As the evening set in, pulling of chariots was stopped. Taladhwaja chariot remain near Balagandi square, Darpadalana near Bagala Dharmashala and Nandighosa chariot stayed at Shree Naara, the Palace of Gajapati. Chariots will start their journey to Gundicha Temple tomorrow morning, as said by Temple Administration.
