By Sarat Jaisingh in Puri, July 14, 2018: Lakhs of devotees on Saturday witnessed the spectacle of world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities embarking on a nine-day sojourn from Srimandir Temple to their aunt’s house (Gundicha Temple) on three chariots.

Rituals of the deities kicked off smoothly with the Mailama, Tadapalagi, Rosa Homa, Abakash and Gopal Ballav rituals in the morning.

Thereafter, amid sound of conches and cymbals the ceremonial Pahandi rituals began and all the three deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra along with Lord Sudarshan were ushered out of the Srimandir to their respective chariots one and half hour ahead of the scheduled departure, officials said.

After Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhana peeth Swami Nischalananda Saraswati offered his prayers to the deities seated atop their chariots, Puri King Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb, the first servitor of the holy Trinity was brought on his royal palanquin from the Raja Nahara where he performed the ‘Chhera Panhara’ (sweeping of the three chariot floors with a golden broom) ritual.

While the chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra completed their scheduled journey, the Nandighosh chariot of Lord Jagannath was halted within a short distance of the Gundicha temple, the designated destination.

Elaborate arrangements were made by the administration in view of the mega festival. Adequate force was mobilised to monitor and streamline crowd and traffic movement during chariot pulling. Similarly, 140 platoons of police force were also deployed. As many as 120 CCTV cameras were also installed across the city to monitor traffic movement on major routes leading to Badadanda.

The car festival was also held across the State and several parts around the country and globe on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday wished people on the occasion of Ratha Jatra.

“Greetings on the auspicious occasion of Ratha Jatra. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, may our country scale new heights of growth. May every Indian be happy and prosperous. Jai Jagannath!,” tweeted the Prime Minister.

Similarly, Odisha Chief Minister wished for development of the state and prosperity of one and all with the blessings of the Lord.

“Warm wishes on occasion of holy #RathYatra. May Lord Jagannath guide us on path of peace, prosperity and unity,” tweeted Patnaik.