Glory to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra - Puri’s world famous Rath Yatra begins today

Dedicated to Lord Jagannath and his siblings – Balabhadra and Subhadra – the auspicious yatra begins today.

Pic courtesy: Thinkstock image for representation purpose only.

Mumbai: The annual celebrations of Puri’s world famous Rath Yatra commences today amid tight security in this eastern coastal state of India. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath and his siblings – Balabhadra and Subhadra – the auspicious yatra will begin as devotees from across the globe pull the ropes of the three gigantic wooden chariots in reverence of the Lord.

The deities belong to the 12th century Jagannath Temple. The chariots will be taken to Devi Gundicha’s temple. Spread over nine days, the celebrations will conclude on July 14 with Bahuda Yatra or the return of the deities to their temple.

Interestingly, a Ratha Yatra in Ahmedabad too has commenced today to carry on a 138-year-old legacy.

The rath yatra, having chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra, will roll out from the 400-year-old Jagannath temple at Jamalpur in Ahmedabad.

The celebration of the holy Hindu festival is done in a grand manner at the Jagannath Puri temple, one of the four Hindu shrines, in Odisha.

Hundreds of devotees flock to the beach town during the celebrations.

The festival is a celebration of Lord Jagannath travelling with his siblings, Lord Balbhadra and deity Subhadra, to the temple of Queen Gundicha.

(With ANI inputs)