Thousand of devotees converged in Puri as the millennium's first Nabakalebar Rath Yatra commenced today. It is a festival when the Idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan are replaced by a new ones.
A man gives final touches ahead of the Ratha Yatra or the Chariot Festival. It is a festival associated with the god Jagannath and is held at Puri in the state of Odisha.
The prime ritual of the day 'Chhera Pahanra' (sweeping of the chariots) is solemnised by Puri Gajapati Dibya Singhdev followed by sprinkling of holy water and sandal.
The annual yatra, which commenced from the Puri temple, will conclude at Shree Gundicha temple on July 29, covering nearly 2.5 km distance, in nine days.
