Puri (Odisha)- The sacred journey of the Holy Siblings — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra — culminated with their grand arrival at Saradha Bali, in front of the Gundicha Temple, on Saturday afternoon. The majestic chariots — Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalan — now stand gloriously at their destination, marking the beginning of the deities’ revered nine-day annual sojourn.
The chariot of Lord Balabhadra (Taladhwaja) was the first to reach Gundicha Temple, followed by Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalan. Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha rolled in shortly after 1 PM, welcomed by thunderous chants and a sea of devotees gathered to witness the sacred moment.
The journey, which had come to a halt on Friday evening due to unforeseen circumstances, resumed around 9:30 AM on Saturday after the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) revised the schedule. Despite the delay, devotees remained patient and spiritually charged, staying overnight for a glimpse of the Lords on the Grand Road.
SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee and Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan both stated that all occurrences during the Rath Yatra unfold according to the divine will of Lord Jagannath. “Every step in this sacred ritual is governed by the Lord himself,” said Padhee.
On Friday, movement was disrupted post-rituals when the chariots could not advance significantly. Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, halted at Balagandi Chhak after reportedly veering off multiple times, while Devi Subhadra’s chariot stopped near Marichikot. Despite devotees’ best efforts, Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha barely moved a few metres.
Ultimately, divine timing prevailed. The following morning, under the rising sun and amid rhythmic chants, the chariots resumed their course with spiritual vigor, drawing the Lords closer to their temporary abode — Gundicha Temple.
The arrival of the deities marks a deeply emotional moment for devotees, who believe that the Lords visit their maternal aunt’s home during this sacred period. The deities will now remain at Gundicha Temple for the next nine days, where daily rituals and lakhs of pilgrims will continue to celebrate their divine presence.
