Puri Car festival: All three chariots reach Gundicha temple

07 July, Puri

The pulling of chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra which was called off yesterday after the sunset, resumed this morning and finally arrived near the Sri Gundicha temple,the final destination.

The three presiding deities of the 12th century Jagannath temple were taken out from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple yesterday on a nine-day sojourn to the Gundicha temple.
But none of the chariots could reach the destination before the sunset. As per the tradition pulling of the chariots is barred after the sunset.Amid tight security the devotees today pulled the chariots this morning after necessary rituals for the lords are performed by the servitors atop the chariot.

Today being Thursday, the lords will not be taken to the Gundicha temple and they have to spend the night on their respective chariot. As per schedule, the deities will be taken inside the Gundicha temple tomorrow through ceremonial pahandi procession.

The three presiding deities would return to their original abode from the Gundhicha temple on July 14 next popularly called the Bahuda yatra, the Return Car festival in the same manner and way in which they went on a nine day sojourn.

On July 15, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balavadra and Devi Subhadra will appear in their full forms wearing pure gold attire with their respective”ayudhas” called “Suna Vesh”on the chariots.

On July 17, the trinity will be taken to their original abode,the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath temple by the temple servitors through the ceremonial pahandi procession one after another which is called “Niladri Bije”.