Puri: The world-famous Ratha Yatra has drawn massive crowds to Puri. Lakhs of devotees gathered to witness the event. However, yesterday, the three chariots could not reach the Grand Avenue (Bada Danda). Therefore, chariot pulling will resume today at 9:30 AM. This was announced by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Friday. As per the leave policy, chariot pulling will be conducted today.

The delay occurred due to a change in the turning of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot. With favorable weather, the number of devotees has doubled this year compared to last year. Due to the delay, Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot was pulled only a few steps ceremonially. The pulling will resume again this morning. So far, this year’s Ratha Yatra has remained incident-free.

Yesterday, the pulling of chariots began at around 4:30 PM. First, devotees pulled Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, followed by Goddess Subhadra’s, and finally Lord Jagannath’s. On the first day, Balabhadra’s chariot halted at Balgandi Square, Subhadra’s Darpadalana chariot got stuck near Marichikota Town Police Station, and Nandighosha halted near the Lion’s Gate (Singhadwara) after moving a short distance. The pulling will resume today at 9:30 AM, as informed by Shri Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Aravind Padhee.