Braving the summer heat, lakhs of devotees from all over the country thronged the city of Puri to witness the nine-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. The presiding deities of the Sri Jagannath temple were taken out of Ratna sinhasan, their original abode, for a ceremonial pahandi procession through the Baisi Pahacha to the Lions gate, where their chariots were parked to take them to the Gundicha temple.
The grand annual world-famous car festival was a spectacle to behold, with the three-km long ‘bada danda’ packed with devotees, all eager to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balavadra, and Devi Subhadra. The deities were offered ‘gopal bhog’ (breakfast) before being taken out from the Ratnavedi of the sanctum sanctorum, leading to the frenzied shouts of ‘Haribol’ and ‘Jai Jagannath’ from devotees witnessing the procession.
To ensure a smooth and safe conduct of the festival, elaborate security arrangements were put in place. About 170 platoons of police forces, including one thousand experienced officers, rapid action force, and quick response teams were deployed. Additionally, several CCTV cameras were installed, and a comprehensive traffic mobility plan was implemented.
The climax of the festival will involve the ‘Return Car Festival’ on June 28, where the deities will return to their original abode through a similar procession. The appearance of the deities in public is believed to expel darkness and bring light, hence the massive turnout of devotees.
In conclusion, the annual car festival in Puri is a test of devotion as lakhs of devotees brave the summer heat to witness and take part in the nine-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. The festival, which involves the procession of the deities through the city of Puri, is an opportunity for devotees to express their devotion and love for Lord Jagannath.
