Puri (Odisha):-The sacred city of Puri witnessed a wave of spiritual energy on Friday as lakhs of devotees poured onto the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to partake in one of the world’s most revered religious spectacles — the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. But amidst the spiritual fervor and chants of “Jai Jagannath,” the annual chariot procession faced an unforeseen pause.
While the ceremonial rituals commenced on time, and the grandeur of the three towering chariots captivated onlookers, the physical movement of the deities through the city encountered hurdles. The Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra was the first to roll forward at around 4:10 PM, followed by the Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra. Both chariots proceeded steadily, until delays started to unfold.
The most significant delay was observed with Nandighosa — the iconic chariot of Lord Jagannath — which remained stationary for several hours. It wasn’t until approximately 7:45 PM that it began its journey, far later than anticipated. However, after covering only a limited distance, the pulling was suddenly stopped. The majestic chariot stood still amidst the sea of devotees, as temple authorities made the difficult call to suspend further movement for the day.
The Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Padhi confirmed that the decision was taken with respect to ritualistic discipline and practical constraints. “The chariot pulling will resume tomorrow morning,” he said, assuring that all safety protocols and traditional guidelines would be maintained.
The Taladhwaja halted near Balagandi Chhak and Darpadalana near the Town Police Station at Marichikot, both caught in the tide of the enormous crowd that had gathered on all sides. According to eyewitness accounts, navigating the immense swell of humanity proved to be a daunting task, even for the seasoned sevayats (servitors) guiding the procession.
Odisha’s Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, addressing the media, stated that all prescribed rituals were conducted timely, and the chariots were set into motion as planned. However, the overwhelming turnout — reportedly surpassing previous years by a large margin — caused significant congestion. “Particularly, Lord Balabhadra’s chariot took more time than usual to progress due to the density of devotees. This impacted the flow of the entire procession,” the minister explained.
Given the delay and ritualistic limits, the pulling was rightfully halted for the evening, a decision rooted in centuries-old traditions that govern the spiritual calendar of the Jagannath cult.
Yet, despite the temporary pause, the emotional and devotional atmosphere in Puri remained electric. Devotees, some of whom had traveled across states and countries, continued singing bhajans, waving flags, and bowing in reverence before the towering chariots, undeterred by the delay. Many saw it not as a disruption, but as divine will.
As the moonlit night enveloped the city, the three chariots stood like silent sentinels of faith, bathed in chants, prayers, and flickering lamps. The divine journey of the Lords is now set to continue with fresh zeal and spiritual energy as dawn breaks on Saturday — renewing hopes and hearts alike.
