Puri, June 26 -- The pilgrim town of Puri is abuzz with excitement as it prepares to host the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, along with his divine siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, beginning Friday.
The deities, accompanied by Sudarshan, Madanmohan, and Ramakrishna, will embark on their sacred nine-day journey to the Gundicha Temple aboard three grand chariots, rolling majestically along the 3-km stretch of the Badadanda (Grand Road).
Final rituals and preparations were completed today, with the Pujapanda servitors ceremoniously handing over the Ajnamallyas (divine permissions) to the Biswakarma artisans, formally authorizing the commencement of the journey.
Police personnel and devotees skillfully maneuvered the three ch...