Puri, Jul 16: The pulling of Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja chariot began around 5pm on Thursday amid immense devotional fervour as thousands of devotees gathered on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) to ceremonially pull the massive wooden chariot during the annual Rath Yatra.

The ritual commenced after the completion of the Chhera Pahanra ceremony and the Charamala Phita (unfastening of the wooden steps) ritual.

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb performed the revered Chhera Pahanra ritual between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm, ceremonially sweeping the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra with a golden broom before the deities' journey to the Gundicha Temple.

As part of the centuries-old tradition, the erstwhile king offered prayers and swept Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana, symbolising that all are equal before the Lord.

According to the official Rath Yatra schedule, the Chhera Pahanra ritual was slated to be held from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, after the Pahandi Bije was originally scheduled to conclude by 11:30 am. The pulling of the three chariots was scheduled to begin at 4 pm after the ceremonial sweeping, attachment of the wooden horses and removal of the ladders. However, with the Pahandi Bije concluding nearly three hours behind schedule, the subsequent rituals were also delayed.

Earlier in the day, the Pahandi witnessed a rare moment as Lord Jagannath was carried for a brief period without His traditional Tahia (ceremonial floral headgear).

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According to sources, Tahia reportedly fell off near the Satapahacha (seven steps) inside the Shree Jagannath Temple during the ceremonial procession. Servitors, however, continued carrying the deity towards Nandighosha before the ritual proceeded further.

The Pahandi Bije began with the ceremonial procession of Lord Sudarshana, followed by Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, who were escorted to their respective chariots, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana.

Lakhs of devotees lined the Bada Danda (Grand Road) to witness the divine procession as the deities made their way from the sanctum sanctorum to their chariots, marking the ceremonial beginning of the world-famous Rath Yatra.