The world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshan began in the holy town of Puri in Orissa this evening. The Grand Trunk Road, where the three chariots of the Lords are being rolled, has turned into a sea of devotees. President Droupadi Murmu performed the parikrama of the chariots and bowed down before the deities. Thousands of people pulled the giant chariots from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple towards Gundicha Temple, around 2.5 kilometres away.

The festival marks the Holy Trinity’s journey to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha, and concludes with their return after eight days. Our correspondent reports from the venue that the divine journey began with an elaborate royal ritual called ‘Dhadi Pahandi’ with the beating of the ghanta, kahali, and telingi instruments. The chariot pulling started after Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati visited the chariots and completed Chhera Pahanra, sweeping off the decks with a golden broom. The chariots were pulled a short distance as per tradition before the sun set, and they will resume tomorrow. Traditionally a single-day event, this year’s Rath Yatra expands to two days due to special configurations.