Puri Rath Yatra 2022: Pulling of chariots begins

Lakhs of devotees gathered in Puri for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings-Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, amid heightened security as the nine-day annual festival began in Puri.

Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, started rolling on Bada Danda (grand road) amidst chant of hymns, blowing of conchs and beating of gongs and cymbals. After the Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performed Chhera Panhara rituals (sweeping of chariot floors) on the chariots, devotees started pulling the Taladhawaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra.

As per tradition, the Taladhwaja Rath is pulled first, followed by Debadalana and Nandighosha.

The nine-day annual festival of Jagannath Rath Yatra commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra, and their sister Subhadra to their aunt’s place, the Gundicha Temple.