Puri: A sea of devotees have thronged the pilgrim city of Puri to witness the world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath.
After a gap of two years, devotees are once again participating in the grand chariot processions of the Holy Trinity.
Amid the religious fervor, the deities were led to their respective chariots stationed in front of the Singhadwar this morning.
Chakraraj Sudarsan was ushered to Nandighosha chariot on Dhadi Pahandi procession, which was followed by the Pahandi of Lord Balabhadra to Taladhwaja chariot. Later, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were placed atop their respective chariots.
Dhadi Pahandi is the ritual that happens on the day of Ratha Yatra. A grand procession leads the deities from the sanctum sanctorum of the Srimandir to their respective chariots.
Puri Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb performed his services on the chariots.
The Gajapati carried out ‘Chhera Panhara’ ( sweeping the floors of the chariots with a gold-plated broom) before they were pulled on the Grand Road by the devotees.
More than 180 platoons of armed police personnel, including 1,000 officers of various ranks are deployed in and around Puri while around 50 CCTV cameras are fitted in Grand Road and other places in Puri to ensure safe conduct of the festival.
President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Governor Prof.Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and several other leaders greeted people on this auspicious occasion.