Puri: The chariots of Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra started rolling an hour and half before the scheduled time, ending the much awaited moment for the Lord to meet his devotees.
The devotees, braving rain, pulled the chariots. It was the Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra that rolled first for its journey to Gundicha temple.
Amidst beating of gongs, cymbals, conches and the atmosphere reverberated with ‘Hari Bol’ chant; devotees pulled the chariots in turn.
The chariot of Lord Balabhadra, Taladhwaja was pulled at 2:30 pm soon after the completion of the Chhera Panhara ritual by Puri Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb amidst heavy security arrangements.