Preparations for the ceremonial return of the chariots, Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana, are also in full swing, as thousands gathered along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to witness the divine procession. Pic/ PTI

Though the pulling of chariots was slated to start at 4 pm, it began at about 2.45 pm much ahead of the schedule amid chants of 'Jai Jagannath', 'Haribol' and beating of cymbals. The chariots of Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath would follow Lord Balabhadra's Taladwaj

Earlier, the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, were carried to 'Taladwaj', 'Darpadalan' and 'Nandighosh' chariots respectively in a ritual called 'Pahandi'. The 'Pahandi' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Padamundanam', which means taking slow steps movement by spreading feet

The pahandi of the trinity began with Chakraraj Sudarshan, followed by Lord Balabhdra, Devi Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath

Though the 'Pahandi' ritual was earlier scheduled to begin at 12 noon, it started at 10 am, much earlier. The ceremonial procession took around two hours following which the deities were seated on the chariots

The majestic chariots - Taladwaj (Balabhadra), Darpadalan (Subhadra) and Nandighosh (Jagannath) will be pulled by devotees from Shree Gundicha temple to the 12th-century shrine, the main seat of Lord Jagannath, a distance of about 2.6 km