Puri, June 27 -- The dreams of lakhs of devotees who thronged Puri to witness the grand Rath Yatra were left shattered today, as none of the three chariots could cover even half of the three-kilometre-long Badadanda stretch.
Despite enduring intermittent rain, thousands of devotees remained on Badadanda for hours, eagerly waiting for the opportunity to pull the sacred chariots. However, their hopes were dashed as the day ended without success.
The pulling of the chariots was suspended after the Nandighosh Ratha of Lord Jagannath moved only 10 metres, in adherence to tradition.
A senior servitor said the rituals proceeded smoothly until the pulling of the first chariot-Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra-began at around 4:10 PM.
Unfortunately,...