In Pictures: Lord Jagannath’s annual Rath Yatra at Puri

The Grand Road in Puri saw the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, His elder brother Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra on Sunday with full vigour. The Trinity has gone on a pleasure ride to their aunt’s house known as Gundicha Ghar for nine days.

Artistes performing in front of chariots along the Grand Road in Puri on Sunday. (EPS|Biswanath Swain) 

Lakhs of devotees throng Grand Road to take part in annual Rath Yatra. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra is kept ready along the Grand Road. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Pahandi (ceremonial procession) of Lord Balabhadra. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Martial artists performing traditional sport of banati. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Volunteers sprinkling water on devotees suffering from humid conditions. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

A devotee, who fell sick, being shifted to first aid centre. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Pahandi (ceremonial procession) of Lord Balabhadra. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Three chariots kept ready along the Grand Road. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Odissi dancers performing in front of chariots.(EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Ghantua, a special group of servitors performing Ghanta percussion during pahandi (ceremonial procession) of deities. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Devotees stand in queues to have a glimpse of deities. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Pahandi (ceremonial procession) of Lord Balabhadra. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Pahandi (ceremonial procession) of Devi Subhadra. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Pahandi (ceremonial procession) of Lord Jagannath. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Pahandi (ceremonial procession) of Lord Jagannath. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Three chariots kept ready along the Grand Road. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Two lady devotees with an idol of Lord Jagannath during the ceremonial procession of deities.(EPS|Biswanath Swain)

A devotee making jhoti on the Grand Road. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

A devotee making jhoti on the Grand Road. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Lakhs of devotees throng Grand Road to take part in annual Rath Yatra. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Lakhs of devotees throng Grand Road to take part in annual Rath Yatra. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)

Lakhs of devotees throng Grand Road to take part in annual Rath Yatra. (EPS|Biswanath Swain)