Chanting of Shlokas and Huluhuli rented the air as the Lord of the universe came out of the main temple in style. Typical swinging of floral tiaras of the Lord during the galloping gaiety of the deities in Pahandi captivated the devotees.

The Odissi dancers danced to the tunes of Ghantas, drums, blowing of conch shells and trumpets creating a serene and celestial atmosphere. The display of acrobatic and martial art skills by the local youth of different Jagaghars, particularly the `Banati', made the procession more attractive.

Lakhs of devotees who were waiting since morning braving the scorching Sun were charmed as soon as Lord Jagannath came out of the temple through the Simhadwar, the main entrance.

When the chariots rolled down on the Grand Road (Bada Danda), the intermittent dialogues of the charioteers encouraged the devotees to pull the chariots along the 3 km long Bada Danda.

y the time the Yatra ended in the evening, the chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra had reached near the Gundicha temple, while the chariot of Lord Jagannath had covered about half the distance. The chariot of Lord Jagannath will be pulled on Tuesday after which the deities will enter the Gundicha temple.

The temple administration and the district authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the fete and to provide comfort to the devotees.

A total of 65 platoons of armed personnel were deployed in the town to maintain law and order. A number of high-resolution TV cameras were installed to monitor the crowd movement along the Grand Road.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and several Ministers of the State and Judges of the High Court witnessed the festival.