Chariots reach the destination,special arrangement for Sunavesa

Puri, Jul 25 (UNI) The three chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra, were pulled to their original destination near the Lions gate here today.

The Jagannath temple administration had suspended the pulling of the three chariots, which could not be veered to its destination during the observance of 'Bahuda' (return car festival) yesterday.

By the time the pulling was stopped, 'Taladhwaj' chariot of Lord Balabhadra was almost close to the lion's gate while 'Darpadalan' of Devi Subhadra was near Municipal market square and Lord Jagannath on his 'Nandighosh' remained stranded at Hospital Square.

Pulling was resumed today at 1000 hours with the participation of large number of Panchakosis (devotees living in a radial distance of 20 kms from the temple).

With the three chariots reaching their destination, the district administration, particularly the police, and the temple authority are gearing up their resources for the ''Sunavesh'' of the deities in which over a million devotees are likely to converge here to witness the golden attire of the deities atop their respective chariot.

Special attention has been accorded for regulation of vehicular traffic along all the routes leading to the city. The administration would clamp one way traffic along the Puri-Bhubaneswar National High way from tomorrow late evening.

A special traffic zone had been set up at Pipili to control and manage the vehicular traffic.

Director General of Police Amarananda Pattnaik and two senior IGPs B B Mishra and Pradip Kapoor would monitor the traffic and police arrangements during the fete.

'Sunavesha' is observed on the 11th day of the fete (Ekadashi), after arrival of the deities at the 'Singha Dwara'(lions gate). The deities are dressed up in pure gold ornaments like giant gold tiaras studded with rare jewels and put on artificial limbs besides their respective weaponry made of pure gold.

Traditional temple treasurer along with the temple officials would draw the required ornaments from the temple treasury and were provided to the dressers atop the 'rathas' (chariots).

A special set of servitors known as (Simhariees) would take time to dress the lords by fixing their huge arms, armaments, feet and tiaras besides the jewellery. Amidst tight security cover the 'Vesha' would be open to the devotees from Thursday late afternoon and would continue till midnight.

UNI