Sea of pilgrims at Puri for annual car festival

Photo source: Orissadiary.com

Three majestic chariots carrying idols of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra rolled down the Grand Road of Puri amid lakhs of devotees marking the celebration of the annual car festival on July 03, 2011. The festival marks the journey of three deities - Jagannath, brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra from the 12th century Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple, about 3 km away from the main temple.

According to an estimate, more than 10 lakh devotees from all corners of the country and outside congregated in the town. Devotees occupied every conceivable space along the 3-km-long Grand Road to have a glimpse of the deities on the chariots.

The ceremonial processions of the deities known as Pahandi (carrying the deities out of the temple to the chariots) started at 8.35 a.m. and the chariots began moving after Gajapati Divyasingha Deb, who is regarded as Puri's designated King, swept the wooden floors. By 6.30 p.m., all chariots reached the destination.

The festival culminates nine days later when the deities make their way back home to the Jagannath temple in their return journey known as Bahuda Yatra.

The state government has made elaborate arrangements in the town to prevent any untoward incident. Thousands of policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order. At least 56 special trains are running from different parts of Orissa, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh to meet the extra rush of passengers to Puri during the festival.