By Sarat Jayasingh in Puri, June 25, 2017 : The world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began on Sunday with religious fervour here when the three majestic wooden chariots waited outside draped in layers of red, black, green and yellow cloth rolled on amidst chanting of Jai Jagannath from tens of thousands of devotees.

Undeterred by rains, devotees from across the globe descended on the seaside town to witness the nine-day journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple and back to their abode.

Devotees poured into the seaside town to watch the grand ceremony and pull the three majestic and colourful chariots on the ‘bada danda’, the grand avenue

Before the presiding deities – Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra – set out from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, a number of special rituals like ‘Mangla Arati’ and ‘Mailam’ were held.

Descending from the ‘Ratna Sinhasana’, the bejewelled throne, the three deities were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as “Baisi Pahacha” through the Lion’s gate in an elaborate royal ritual called “Pahandi” as devotees and sevayats jostled to have a glimpse and touch them.

In a rhythmic style, the deities moved forward step by step to the accompaniment of beating of ‘ghantas’ and ‘kahalis’ and blowing of konch shells. The trinity proceeded majestically in rhythmic movement in their journey to the world outside during ‘Pahandi’.

At first Sudarshana, the celestial wheel of Krishna Vishnu, was taken out and placed in the chariot of Devi Subhadra followed by Lord Balabhadra and finally Lord Jagannath.

However, the Pahandi was delayed by two hours from the scheduled time.

Devotees from all walks of life made a beeline to the seaside town to have a glimpse of the presiding deities of the 12th century shrine of Lord Jagannath as the trinity mingled with the sea of humanity during the annual festival of chariots.

Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has put a ban on climbing the chariots and touching deities. “Climbing the chariots and touching the deities during the Rath Yatra is not permissible as per the order of the Orissa High Court,” said SJTA Chief Administrator P K Jena.

With millions thronging the holy town, police made elaborate security arrangements by deploying 127 platoons of force (one platoon has around 30 personnel) besides putting air and coast surveillance in place.

Security was tightened outside the temple, around the three chariots and the Grand road, sea beach, railway station and the bus stand, he said, adding that patrolling was strengthened.

The 45-feet high ‘Nandighosh,’ the chariot of Lord Jagannath stood with 16 huge wooden wheels, while the 44-feet high ‘Taladhawaja’ with 14 wheels is for Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra’s ‘Darpadalan’ was 43-feet high with 12 wheels.

The Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhana peeth Swami Nischalananda Saraswati had a darshan of the deities on the chariots along with his disciples.

Thereafter, the Gajapati King of Puri Divyasingh Dev proceeded to the chariots to perform the ‘Chhera Panhara’ ritual by sweeping the platform with golden broom following which the gigantic chariots began to roll on.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) is running special trains to clear the extra rush of passengers for the car festival.

The Chariots, however, could not reach the destination – Gundicha Temple, believed to be the birth place of Lord Jagannath and will start moving on Monday.