Puri Bahuda Yatra: Deities Seated On Raths, Chherapahmara Ritual Soon

Puri, July 15: Devotees are now eagerly waiting to have glimpses of Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Dev sweeping Raths with a golden broom as the sibling deities- Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra are already seated on their respective Raths- Taladhwaja, Nandighosh and Darpadalan after coming in ceremonial Dhadi Pahadi.

The deities are on their return journey called Bahuday Yatra.

The Bada Danda (2.5 km Grand Road) swelled with the footfall of lakhs of devotees intending to pull the holy Raths on this auspicious occasion.

Devotees were seen moving freely and watching the performing arts of various kinds staged along the Bada Danda before pulling of the Raths. Chakri swinging, Odissi show, Hanuman's movement, Kirtan singing, and many more activities marked the grand celebration of Rath Yatra.

Chherapahmara Niti is scheduled to be held between 2 PM and 3 PM. The Gajapati Maharaja, perceived as the foremost devotee of Lord Jagannath and Chalanti Thakura (Living God) will sweep the Raths with a golden broom amid sprinkling of water and flowers and hymn chanting.

Rath pulling is scheduled to begin at 4 pm.

For the smooth conduct of the festival, the administration has put in place massive arrangements. As many as 180 platoons of police have been deployed for the purpose.