<span style="color: #222222;">With just hours left for the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri, servitors are busy with last-minute preparations to ensure that the elaborate series of rituals of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are completed in time.<br />''<br />''Pahandi, the ritual procession in which the deities are led to the chariots, began this morning with Lord Sudarshan. Servitors brought the idol of the Lord out of the temple in a ceremonial procession and placed it in the chariot.<br />''<br />''The Pahandi of Lord Jagannath is going on after the Pahandi of Lord Balabhadra and Maa Subhadra. As per the schedule of rituals, at around 4 pm, devotees will begin pulling the chariots.<br />''<br />''The Yatra, which starts from the Puri temple, will conclude at Shree Gundicha temple, covering nearly a 3-kilometre distance. While Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra will roll on the Puri Grand Road, first, Darpadalana of Devi Subhadra will trail.<br />''<br />''Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha, the largest of the three chariots, will move after the two. It is expected the chariots will reach Gundicha Temple before sunset.<br />''<br />''The deities will have a nine-day sojourn at the Gundicha temple. And they return to Shree Mandir only after completing the Yatra on the same chariots called 'Bahuda Yatra' or return car festival on the 28th of this month. Lakhs of devotees have thronged the shrine to witness the grand chariot festival of the deities.<br />''<br />''Rath Yatra is the only day in the whole year when devotees of all religions can have an opportunity to see the Gods and Goddess of the Jagannath Puri temple. Apart from India, this festival attracts a large number of international tourists to Puri.<br />''<br />''President Draupadi Murmu has extended her heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen, especially the devotees of Lord Jagannath on the auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra. In a tweet message, she prayed to Mahaprabhu Jagannath that this festival of devotion and dedication brings happiness, peace and prosperity in everyone's life.<br />''<br />''Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted people on the occasion of the annual festival of Rath Yatra at Puri today. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, as the country celebrate this sacred occasion, may the divine journey of Lord Jagannath fill people's lives with health, happiness and spiritual enrichment.<br />''<br />''Home Minister Amit Shah took the blessings of Mahaprabhu by participating in Mangala Aarti at Jagannath Temple, Ahmedabad today.  In a tweet message, he said, Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra is a supernatural gathering of faith and devotion.<br />''<br />''Every year the experience of seeing God here is divine and unforgettable. He wished for the blessings of Mahaprabhu for everyone.</span><br />