Puri: Chariot Pulling to Resume at 9:30 AM Today; Adapa Bije Deferred to Saturday

Puri: The annual Rath Yatra procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will resume at 9:30 am on Friday, after the ceremonial pulling of the three chariots was suspended on Thursday evening due to diminishing daylight and safety considerations.

The three chariots remained stationed at different points along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) overnight with the deities seated on them. Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja is parked near Fire Station Square, Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana is stationed at Marchikote Square, while Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha is positioned close to the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Shree Jagannath Temple.

Officials said the required morning rituals on the chariots will be completed before the procession resumes. The district administration is aiming to ensure that all three chariots reach the Sharadhabali area near the Gundicha Temple by Friday evening.

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee said the chariot pulling will recommence at 9:30 am. He also clarified that although the deities are expected to arrive at Gundicha Temple later in the day, the Adapa Bije ritual will not take place on Friday and has been postponed to Saturday.

The chariot procession was halted on Thursday evening following the recommendation of the Bhoi Sardar, keeping in view the safety of the massive crowd that had gathered on the Grand Road after sunset.

Despite intermittent rain during the day, an estimated 8 to 9 lakh devotees thronged the pilgrim town to witness one of the most significant rituals of the world-famous Rath Yatra. Authorities have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the smooth continuation of the procession and manage the heavy influx of devotees.