PURI, INDIA, June 26, 2023 (Indian Express): Millions of visitors from across the globe throng the beach town of Puri in Odisha to take part in the annual Rath Yatra (car festival) of Lord Jagannath, which this year began on June 20. According to Hindu mythology, the Lord along with his siblings — elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra — embarks on a nine-day annual sojourn to his birthplace. The statues are taken to the Gundicha Temple, where they stay till the Bahuda Yatra (returning car festival), scheduled on June 28 this year. The Deities board three huge decorated chariots following the Pahandi ritual (ceremonial procession), before marching for around 1.86 miles to the Gundicha Temple. For details on the various rituals of the nine-day festival see source.

Source: Indian Express June 29, 2023 02:10 UTC