Ananya Lohia , Bhubaneswar - The world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began in Odisha's Puri on Thursday with the sacred Pahandi Bije ritual. Lakhs of devotees gathered in the holy city to witness the grand procession as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were ceremonially taken to their majestic chariots.

Amid the sounds of traditional musical instruments and Vedic chants, the deities were brought out of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple and placed on their respective chariots. Following age-old tradition, Lord Sudarshan was placed first, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath during the sacred Dhadi Pahandi procession.

After the ritual, Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati offered prayers, while Gajapati Maharaja Dibya Singha Deb performed the ceremonial Chhera Pahanra by sweeping the chariots with a golden broom before the procession began. Authorities deployed more than 13000 police personnel along with CAPF units and senior IPS officers. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy also remained on alert to ensure the festival concluded peacefully.

The grand Rath Yatra once again turned Puri into a sea of devotion as lakhs of devotees gathered to celebrate one of India's most sacred and spiritually significant festivals.