Thousands Throng Dwitiya Srikhetra in Mayurbhanj

Thousands of devotees thronged the Haribaldev Jew temple at Baripada in Mayurbhanj to take part in the Rath Yatra celebration on Friday.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Baripada/Balasore

In the morning, traditional rituals including Abakash, Bhog arpan, Rath Pratistha and Chaka Chhada were performed by servitors before the pahandi of the Trinity.

As per tradition, Maharaja Praveen Chandra Bhanjdeo performed Chhera Pahanra, the ceremonial sweeping of three chariots. The pahandi procession began at 4 pm and the deities were placed on their respective chariots amid the vibrant sounds of devotional songs, gongs, conches and mrudangs.

The deities will spend the night on their chariots with all the daily rituals performed there. The chariots will be pulled over the next two days.