Spectacular Bahuda Yatra: Devotees Enthrall Puri with Chariot Festival

Thousands of devotees gathered in Puri to pull the chariots of sibling deities - Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra - for the Bahuda Yatra. The event started ahead of schedule with chants and cymbals, fulfilling rituals with precision and fervor.

Thousands of devotees pulled the chariots of sibling deities - Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra - on the 'Bahuda Yatra' or return car festival which began here on Monday.

Though the pulling of chariots was slated to start at 4 pm, it began ahead of the schedule amid chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and beating of cymbals.

Devotees began pulling Lord Balabhdra's chariot 'Taladwaja' at 3.25 pm and Devi Subhadra's 'Devadalan' at 4 pm. Pulling of Lord Jagannath's chariot 'Nandighosh' started at 4.15 pm.

The chariot pulling started after Puri's titular king, 'Gajapati Maharaj' Divya Singha Deb, performed 'cheerapahanra', a ritual involving sweeping the three chariots with a golden broom and sprinkling sacred water.

(With inputs from agencies.)