With just a few hours left for the world famous Rath Yatra festivities to kick off, the pilgrim town is already brimming with lakhs of devotees reaching here for the 'Nabajaubana darshan' - the first glimpse of the deities after their 15 days healing ritual at 'Anasaragruha' of the Puri Srimandir. Jagannath temple is all set to host its 141st Rath Yatra this year.
Three majestic chariots - Nandighosa (Lord Jagannath), Taladwaja (Balabhadra) and Darpadalan (Subhadra) - have been kept ready before the 12th century Jagannath Temple in Puri. The devotees will pull the three chariots on the grand road to the Gundicha Temple, about three km from the main temple, on Sunday.
The significance of the Ratha Yatra:Lord Jagannath ( the Lord of the Universe derived from the Sanskrit words - Jagat meaning Universe and Nath meaning Lord) leaves his abode along with siblings Balbhadra and Subadhra for Gundicha Mata's Temple, a monument built in the memory of Queen Gundicha, wife of King Indradyumna who built the world famous Puri temple.
Timing:Dwitiya Tithi will begin at 4:32 am on July 14 and ends at 00:55 am on July 15, according to Drikpanchang.