Puri Deities Start Annual Sojourn

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Jagannath Pahandi - Lord Jagannath heads to His Chariot

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Jun 29, 2014 — JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — A wave of religious ecstasy swept through Puri as the three sibling Deities of Jagannath Temple rode their decorative chariots and began their nine-day sojourn to Gundicha Temple amid cheers of a milling crowd on Sunday.

Ban on the access of public onto chariots failed to deter the devotees, who braved a scorching sun and tugged the chariots in the spirit of bhakti. The three chariots reached their destination by 7.30 pm. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, some of his ministers, Union ministers like Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram among other VIPs helped to pull the chariots.

Puri King, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb sweeps chariot deck

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Earlier in the day, rituals of the Deities were delayed for nearly two hours. A restless crowd erupted in joy when Their Lordships were brought out of the temple in ceremonious procession, called Pahandi, to the musical backdrop of earsplitting beating of gongs and cymbals. Several devotees were seen serenading on the Grand Road, chanting devotional songs on Lord Jagannath. Adding attraction to the Pahandi procession, traditional and Odissi dancers performed before the Deities, much to the amusement of the crowd.

Three chariots parked in front of Gundicha Temple on Sunday evening

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Even though a host of places on the Earth observe car festival with equal enthusiasm, the Rath Yatra at Puri is still the major crowd puller. Other than Kumbha Mela, it is perhaps the only place that witnesses a festival involving so much time, money, workers and paraphernalia.

Devotees were ecstatic as they caught "clear" glimpse of the Deities aboard their chariots. "In the previous car festivals, we were unable to have clear darshan of the Deities as the chariots were overcrowded. Since the temple administration banned the entry of people onto chariots, we managed to have clear view of the Deities," said Goutam Tripathy, a devotee. VIPs, including politicians who used to climb the chariots paid obeisances to the Deities from the ground this year.

Chariots ready to be pulled from Jagannatha Temple to Gundicha Temple

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

"I am glad that a large number of people attended the Rath Yatra. It is an honour to pull the chariots," Naveen said. "There is no problem in offering prayer by standing on the ground. I was elated after pulling the chariots," said Union cabinet minister Jual Oram. Unlike previous years, however, local MLA and former minister Maheswar Mohanty did not pull the chariots. After having darshan of the Deities before Pahandi inside the temple, he left for home. "I was ill. So I left the place early," said Mohanty.

Balabhadra carried to His Chariot

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Wary of the recent visit of two Indian Mujahideen operatives to Puri, police increased security in Puri. "The festival is peaceful. No untoward incident occurred," DGP Prakash Mishra said. A whopping 104 platoons of armed police, two companies of Rapid Action Force, 2,000 home guards, four units of anti-extremist squads and 1,000 officers have been camping at Puri for the smooth conduct of Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra (July 7th) and Suna Besha (July 8th).

Jagannath Pahandi

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

"We have fortified the marine and air surveillance in Puri. Frisking of vehicles is being done at all the entry and exit points in and around Puri. We have asked the hotels to keep an eye on visitors and scan identity proofs of their guests," Puri SP Anup Kumar Sahoo said.

The Sibling Deities are delivered to Their Chariots

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]