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Multiple people were evacuated by emergency rescue teams on stretchers on Thursday as an overwhelming surge of pilgrims gathered at the Singhadwara of the Puri Jagannath Temple for the annual Rath Yatra.
Security personnel and emergency rescue teams quickly intervened to assist those affected by the dense crowding, administering medical attention as the massive influx of people continued to grow around the sacred chariots. Meanwhile, the holy town of Puri is witnessing immense spiritual fervour on Thursday as the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath begins. Lakhs of devotees have gathered along the Grand Road (Badadanda) to witness the grand procession and catch a glimpse of the deities as they embark on their majestic chariots. In a meticulously coordinated ritual, the deities are being brought out from the sanctum sanctorum in a grand procession known as Pahandi. As per age-old tradition, Lord Jagannath's weapon, Lord Sudarshan, was the first to be brought out to the chariots, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and finally, Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. Before being placed on their respective wooden chariots, the deities will perform a ceremonial circumambulation (parikrama) of the three newly constructed grand chariots -- Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana. Following this, the deities were formally seated on their respective thrones (Ratha Bije) for their annual journey to the Gundicha Temple. After the deities are placed on the chariots, two of the most significant rituals of the Rath Yatra are performed. The Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peetha, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, accompanied by his disciples, also visited the three chariots to offer prayers and perform special pujas. In a symbol of humility and equality before the Almighty, the titular King of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, will arrive in a royal palanquin to perform the Chhera Pahanra (sweeping of the chariots) ritual. The Gajapati Maharaja sweeped the platforms of all three chariots with a broom having a golden handle and sprinkled fragrant holy water. After the completion of royal rituals and the fixing of wooden horses to the chariots, the grand chariot pulling by devotees started at around 2 pm. (ANI)
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