Puri Lord Jagannath's nine-day sojourn begins

Puri, July 16: The nine-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath along with his elder brother Lord Balavadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra began here this morning amidst chanting of 'haribol' and clanging of cymbals.

Lakhs of devotees thronged the pilgrim city and converged at the three-km long 'Bada danda'(grand road) from the 'Sinha Dwar' (Lions Gate) of the Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple to witness the world famous car festival.

The three deities were offered ''gopal bhog''(breakfast) rituals before being taken out from the 'Ratnavedi' of the sanctum sanctorum in a ceremonial 'pahandi bije' to their respective decorated chariots parked outside the temple.

Hundreds of temple servitors took the deities on their shoulders from the temple amidst blowing of conch shells through Ananda Bazar and the ''baishi Pahacha'' to the Lions Gate under tight security.

The chariots, this year, were decorated with pipili applique work, brass and metal art work to make it more attractive.

All the devotees, this year, were insured and would be paid Rs five lakh in case of loss of life or permanent disability within the Puri Muncipality area during the festival.

As per rituals, Lord Balavadra was first taken from the 'Ratna vedi' to his chariot 'Taladhawaja' followed by Devi Subhadra to the 'Darpadalan'. Lord Jagannath, who is called 'Kalia' by his devotees, was the last one to be taken to his chariot 'Nandighosh'. The devotees thronged the Sinha Dwar for a glimpse of the three presiding deities boarding the chariots to begin their nine-day sojourn to the Gundicha temple.

Official sources said nearly 65 platoons of armed police were pressed into action besides two company of rapid action force and other regular police of the district.

Intelligence personnel on duty kept a vigil on suspicious persons visiting the city. This apart a special contingency plan had been formulated to meet any eventuality in case of a terrorist attack.

A number of high resolution electronic cameras were installed to monitor the movement of the visitors along the grand road.

The ceremonial 'Pahandi' began at 0930 hours after observance of Mangal aarati, Surya pooja and then offering of Gopal Bhog.

The 'pahandi bije' is likely to be over by 1230 hours and the ceremonial "Chherapahanra" (cleaning the chariots by golden broom) by Gajapati Divyasingh Dev would be completed by 1500 hours and the pulling of chariots would commence at 1600 hours.

The chariots would be pulled one after another by the devotees on the grand road to their final destination at Gundicha temple where the deities would stay for nine days before returning to their original abode.

The Bahuda Yatra or return car festival would be held on July 24 and the Sunavesha of the three presiding deities on their respective chariot on July 26 next.

The roof-top of all buildings located on either side of the 'Bada danda' from the Lions Gate to the Gundicha temple was packed with devotees since early this morning.

All lanes and bylanes leading to the grand road were also packed with the devotees as they tried to enter the 'bada danda' for a 'darshan' of the deities on the chariot.

UNI