Puri, Jul 16: Lord Jagannath was ceremonially escorted onto His chariot, Nandighosha, at around 2:15 pm on Thursday, marking the completion of the Pahandi Bije ritual of the Holy Trinity during the annual Rath Yatra in Puri.

According to the official Rath Yatra schedule, the Chhera Pahanra ritual by Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb 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 are also expected to be delayed.

The Pahandi, however, witnessed an unusual moment as Lord Jagannath was carried without His traditional Tahia (ceremonial floral headgear).

According to a source, the Tahia reportedly fell off near the Satapahacha (seven steps) inside the Shree Jagannath Temple during the ceremonial procession.

Also Read: Lord Jagannath Carried Without His Traditional 'Tahia' During Pahandi Bije Ritual in Puri

The rare occurrence drew the attention of lakhs of devotees gathered along the Bada Danda (Grand Road) and those witnessing the procession inside the temple.

The Pahandi Bije ritual 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.

Lord Jagannath's Pahandi, regarded as the most-awaited ritual of the Rath Yatra, unfolded amid the sounds of bells, conches and drums, with chants of "Jai Jagannath," "Haribol," and "Hulahuli" reverberating across Puri.

Lakhs of devotees lined the Grand Road to witness the divine procession as the deities made their way from the sanctum sanctorum to their chariots, marking the formal commencement of the world-famous Rath Yatra.