Puri: With just a day left for the annual Rath Jatra in Odisha’s Puri, devotees from across the country and abroad have started arriving at the pilgrim town to witness the grand event.
Devotees as well as servitors of the 12th century shrine and officials are gearing up car festival to witness the divine journey of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra on three giant chariots.
Ahead of the mega festival, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced the full schedule of rituals for the Rath Yatra to be held on June 27.
As per the schedule, the rituals will begin early in the morning on Friday and continue throughout the day, culminating with the pulling of the grand chariots in the afternoon. Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to participate in the sacred event.
Over 15 lakh devotees are expected to visit the town from across India and abroad to participate in the annual sojourn of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath, which transcends caste and religion. A real-time chatbot has been launched to assist visitors with parking availability, route maps, and directions to vacant parking spaces.
Timeline of Day-long Rituals:
- Mangala Alati: 6 am
- Mailam: 6.10 am
- Tadapa Lagi: 6.30 am
- Rosha Homa: 6.30 am
- Abakasha: 7 am
- Surya Puja: 7.10 am
- Dwarapala Puja: 7.30 am
- Besha Sesha: 7.30 am
- Gopala Ballabha and Sakala Dhupa (Khecudi Bhoga): 8 am to 9 am
- Rath Pratistha: 9 am
- Mangalarpana: 9. 15 am
- Pahandi begins: 9.30 am
- Pahandi ends: 12.30 pm
- Sri Madanmohan, Sri Ram, Sri Krushna Bije: 12.30 pm to 1 pm
- Chitalagi: 1.30 pm to 2 pm
- Besha Sesa: 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm
- Chhera Pahanra: 2.30 pm tp 3.30 pm
- Charamalaphita, installation of Ghoda, Sarathi: 4 pm
- Chariot pulling: 4 pm