Bhubaneswar, 15 July (H.S.): The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has suspended public darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra on Wednesday as the temple gears up for the annual Rath Yatra, which will commence tomorrow.

The suspension has been enforced to facilitate the final phase of preparations for the grand festival, including the ceremonial movement of the three sacred chariots from the Rathakhala to the front of the Srimandir.

According to temple tradition, the day began with the completion of the routine rituals, including Gopal Ballav and Sakala Dhupa. This will be followed by the auspicious Agyanmala Bije ritual, during which the deities' sacred garlands of permission will be ceremonially carried by servitors to the three chariots.

Following the completion of the Agyanmala Bije ceremony, the chariots will be ceremonially pulled from the Rathakhala and positioned in front of the Singhadwara (Lion's Gate) of the Jagannath Temple.

As per long-standing tradition, Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha chariot will be moved first, followed by Devi Subhadra's Darpadalana chariot and Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja chariot.

The ceremonial positioning of the chariots marks the final stage of preparations for the world-famous Rath Yatra, during which the sibling deities will embark on their annual journey to the Gundicha Temple, drawing lakhs of devotees from across the globe.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda