A TIDAL wave of humans pulled forward giant chariots of Jagannath, Lord of the Earth, and his two siblings on Tuesday from a 12th century stone temple in the heart of this sea-side pilgrimage town to their alternate abode about 2.5 kms away. Muscles glistening in the setting sun, thousands of bare-chested men pulled the three nearly 45 feet tall wooden chariots of Lords Jagannath and Balabhadra and Lady Subhadra, while lakhs more thronged to touch, pray or just watch the huge procession. Governor Ganeshi Lal and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik symbolically started the mammoth car pulling exercise by pulling on the ropes connecting the principal Jagannath Chariot.

 

Rhythmically beating brass cymbals and hand drums, priests surrounded the gods on the canopied chariots as the procession made its slow and serpentine way through the main street of this temple town. The air rented with “Jai Jagannath” and “Haribol” as frenzied devotees tried to get a glimpse of what is regarded as a holy occasion by most Hindus, especially Vaishnavites. A million devotees are estimated to have converged on this town for the annual car festival. While most devotees were from Odisha and neighbourng States, many from abroad too joined in what is considered one of the largest religious processions globally.

 

Earlier in the day, Divya Singha Deb, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, on Tuesday ritualistically swept the chariots with a broom with a golden handle, as priests sprinkled flowers and fragrant water. Different groups performed ‘kirtans’ (religious songs) and danced in front of the chariots before the procession started. Tight security arrangements were made by the district administration and police to ensure a successful festival.