PURI:About 10 to 12 lakh devotees converged in the Pilgrim Town to participate in Nabakalebara Rath Yatra on Saturday. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Lord Sudarshan and Devi Subhadra went out riding the three chariots (Raths) along the three km stretch of Bada Danda (Grand Road) on a nine-day sojourn to Gundicha Temple, their aunt's place.
All the set of rituals of the deities were conducted on time. Early in the morning, Daita servitors conducted the ceremonial 'Pahandi' of the deities within the prescribed time frame.The 'Chhera Pahanra' on the three Raths was performed by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb and 'Darshan' by the Sankaracharya was also completed on time.
Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra rolled out first at about 3.35 pm as per the schedule followed by Darpadalan of Devi Subhadra. At about 5 pm, Nandighosh of Lord Jagannath was pulled by devotees.
While Taladhwaja of Balabhadra reached Gundicha temple, chariots of Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra stopped midway as it was already evening. The pulling would resume on Sunday morning between 8.30 am and 9 am.