In Odisha, about 10 lakh devotees today thronged Puri to catch the glimpse of deities on chariots on the occasion of annual world famous Rath Yatra. This is the only time in the entire year that the devotees saw Lord Jagannath leaving the Puri Jagannath temple with his brother Balram and sister Subhadra. <br/><br/>Three majestically decorated chariots carrying idols of deities were towed this afternoon from Puri Jagannath temple along the three kilometer stretch of Grand Road on a nine-day sojourn to Gundicha Temple, their aunt's place. <br/><br/>The chariots, Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra and Dabadalan of Devi Subhadra and Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath are now on their way to Gundicha temple, As the sunset is drawing closer, there will be a little chance that all the chariots would be stopped in the midway. If it happens, the pulling of chariots would resume tomorrow morning.

The world famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was held in the pilgrim town of Puri in Odisha today with religious fervour and enthusiasm amid tight security. Undeterred by rains, lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad descended on the seaside town to witness the nine-day journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to the Gundicha Temple and back to their abode.<br/><br/>Devotees from all walks of life made a beeline to the seaside town to have a glimpse of the presiding deities of the 12th century shrine of Lord Jagannath as the trinity mingled with the sea of humanity during the annual festival of chariots.<br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other dignitaries greeted the people on Lord Jagannath's annual car festival.