Puri, Jul 18: The Adapa Mandap Bije rituals commenced on Saturday evening as the sibling deities began their ceremonial journey from their chariots into the Gundicha Temple in Puri.

The Pahandi Bije ritual of Lord Sudarshana commenced first as part of the traditional 'Goti Pahandi' procession, in which the deities are ceremonially carried one after another from their respective chariots into the Adapa Mandap.

Soon after, the Pahandi Bije of Lord Balabhadra got underway. At the time of filing this report, the deity is being ceremonially escorted from His chariot, Taladhwaja, into the Adapa Mandap amid the chanting of hymns and the beating of traditional instruments.

The Pahandi processions of Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath will follow later in the day.

The Adapa Mandap Bije is one of the most sacred rituals of the annual Rath Yatra. It marks the ceremonial entry of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshana into the Gundicha Temple, where they will stay for the next six days before the Bahuda Yatra (return car festival).

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On Friday, the three majestic chariots—Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana -- reached Saradhabali in front of the Gundicha Temple after the second day's chariot pulling. Thousands of devotees offered prayers and had darshan of the deities atop the chariots throughout the day.

It is widely believed that a single darshan of Lord Jagannath at the Adapa Mandap bestows immense spiritual merit. Devotees will be allowed to have darshan of the Holy Trinity inside the Gundicha Temple from Sunday.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has made elaborate security, crowd management and medical arrangements to facilitate the smooth conduct of the rituals and manage the large influx of pilgrims.