Bhubaneswar, 17 July (H.S.): The ongoing Rath Yatra in Puri witnessed a major milestone as Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, and Darpadalana, the chariot of Devi Subhadra, reached Saradha Bali in front of the Gundicha Temple on Friday, drawing immense devotion among lakhs of devotees.

The pulling of the three grand chariots—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—resumed earlier in the day, with thousands of devotees lining the Bada Danda to witness the sacred procession. Amid chants of “Jai Jagannath,” devotees actively participated in pulling the chariots and offered prayers seeking divine blessings.

On Thursday, Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja had halted at Market Chhak, while Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana stopped at Marchikote Chhak. Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa had moved only a short distance before the day’s procession concluded.

With the arrival of Taladhwaja and Darpadalana at Saradha Bali, the entire area reverberated with devotional chants of “Jai Jagannath” and “Hari Bol,” along with the traditional Hulahuli, creating a spiritually vibrant atmosphere. Devotees gathered in large numbers to witness the historic moment and have darshan of the sibling deities.

The successful arrival of the two chariots has further heightened anticipation among devotees, who are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa. Its arrival at Saradha Bali will mark the completion of a significant phase of the Gundicha Yatra, one of the most important rituals of the world-famous Rath Yatra festival.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda