TNI Bureau: The Pahandi Bije rituals for Ratha Jatra 2026 were completed on Thursday with Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra being ceremonially seated on their respective chariots — Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana — ahead of their annual journey to the Shree Gundicha Temple.
The rituals began with the procession of Shree Sudarshan, followed by Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. Lord Jagannath was brought out last amid chants of “Jai Jagannath” by thousands of devotees gathered on the Grand Road. Cultural troupes, folk artistes and Odissi dancers also performed during the ceremonies.
Devotees are scheduled to pull the three chariots to the Shree Gundicha Temple after the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb. Meanwhile, extensive security and crowd-management arrangements have been put in place, with around 13,000 security personnel deployed. Special measures have also been taken to clear rainwater from the Grand Road following heavy rainfall in Puri ahead of the festival.
