Puri – The world-famous Jagannath Rath Yatra began today (June 27 in the holy city of Puri. This grand 12-day festival will continue until July 8. Thousands of devotees gathered to witness the start of this spiritual journey.
During the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath, along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, travels from the main Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple. The event started early in the morning during the Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga (5:25 AM to 7:22 AM) and the Abhijit Muhurta (11:56 AM to 12:52 PM), which are considered highly auspicious times.
One of the key moments was the traditional ‘Chhera Panhara’ ritual. The King of Puri performed this ceremony by sweeping the base of the chariots with a golden broom. This act shows humility and the spirit of service, as even a king becomes a servant before the Lord.
The Three Chariots:
• Nandi Ghosh: This is Lord Jagannath’s chariot. It has 16 wheels and its rope is called Shankhachuda Nadi.
• Taladhwaj: This is Balabhadra’s chariot. It has 14 wheels and the rope is Basuki.
• Darpadalan: This is Subhadra’s chariot. It has 12 wheels and the rope is Swarnchuda Nadi.
Pulling the chariots is considered a great honor. It is believed that doing so brings spiritual blessings and is equal to performing thousands of religious rituals. People of all religions, castes, and countries are welcome to join in this act of devotion—only love and faith are needed.
Jagannath Rath Yatra Begins in Puri with Great Devotion
