Puri, July 11, 2013: The Holy Trinity took off on their annual sojourn on Wednesday with the pilgrim town turning into a giant tide of spiritual fervour, breaking barriers of caste, creed and religion.

Driven by the surge of humanity, the deities made their way to their aunt’s place on majestic chariots as security agencies kept a close watch in the wake of Bodh Gaya bombings.

Braving the sweltering conditions, close to seven lakh devotees swayed to the sounds of cymbals, chants and conches as the rituals of one of the grandest spectacles on the earth unfolded in the morning. The pilgrims jostled to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra who were escorted by the Daita servitors to their respective chariots “Nandighosha,” “Taladhwaja” and “Darpadalana” in a traditionally elaborate ceremony.

The pilgrims and devotees occupied every available space on ‘Badadanda’ soaking in each and every moment as the chariots rolled on, stopping and starting along the way.

Elder sibling Lord Balabhadra was the first to move, at about 3.15 pm, followed by sister Devi Subhadra half an hour later. But the tardy movement of “Darpadalana,” which had gone off track, held back the start of Lord Jagannath’s journey.

It was about 4.20 pm that the bedecked Nandighosha, in simmering yellow and red, made the first move triggering a frenzy among the lakhs of devotees present along Grand Road.

By the evening, the three chariots were still at a fair distance from Gundicha Temple, their destination. The morning rituals were delayed a bit but soon picked pace.

Source: The New Indian Express, DT. July 11, 2013.