Lord Jagannath set out on a tour of Kashi in a palanquin with his brother and sister for Manfer

Varanasi, July 06 (HS). After recovering, Lord Jagannath, the savior of the animate and inanimate world, set out on Saturday for a city tour of Kashi along with brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra in a palanquin. A crowd of devotees gathered to get a glimpse of the idol of the Lord riding in the palanquin. The entire temple complex reverberated with the thunder of huge damrus and the proclamation of Jai Jagannath. Lord Jagannath, who fell ill due to the love of his devotees, recovered on Friday after a fortnight.

On Saturday afternoon, the Lord's palanquin was decorated at the Jagannath temple in Assi. At 3:30 pm, the devotees decorated Lord Jagannath's palanquin under the supervision of the temple priest Pt. Radheshyam Pandey. After this, aarti of Lord Jagannath, brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra was performed with music and dance. The Lord's palanquin was decorated with red cloth and colourful flowers. After this, the Doli Yatra was taken out by circling the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. During this, the Doli Yatra was taken out amidst the tunes of drums, band baja and Shehnai and cheers. The devotees carried the Doli on their shoulders.

The Doli Yatra started from the temple premises and passed through Assi Chauraha, Padmashree Chauraha, Durgakund, Nawabganj, Khojwan Bazaar, Shankudhara Pokhara, Baijnatha and reached Beniram Bagh located on the Rath Yatra site. During this there was a competition among the devotees to lift the Doli of Lord Jagannath, the saviour of the world. The devotees walked with full devotion, dancing, singing and chanting slogans. Aarti of the Lord was performed at various places on the route of the Yatra. As per tradition, the Lord goes to his aunt's place, Rambagh Rath Yatra. After resting here for the whole night, the Lord meets the aunt's family members.

At midnight, the wooden idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra will be placed on the huge decorated chariot already placed at Rathyatra Square. With this, the world famous Rathyatra fair will begin from early Sunday morning.