Watch video: Devotees throng Puri for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath

The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath began on Wednesday with lakhs of devotees from across the country descended to Puri, Odisha to witness the commencement of the nine-day journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to Gundicha Temple and back to their abode

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WATCH: Devotees throng Puri in Odisha for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath.https://t.co/g53QbMqkbZ

- ANI (@ANI_news) July 6, 2016

Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad descended on the seaside town to witness the commencement of the nine-day journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to Gundicha Temple and back to their abode.

Screengrab of the video.

Devotees from all walks of life made a beeline to the seaside town since yesterday to have a glimpse of the presiding deities of the 12th century shrine of Sri Jagannath as they mingled with the sea of humanity during the annual festival of chariots.

The deities were indoors since 'Snana Purnima' on June 20 and the 'Naba Jaubana Darshan' of the deities was performed on Tuesday as they remained confined in 'Anasara Pindi' (recovery chamber) after the grand bath on 'Snana Purnima'.

The Rath Yatra is an annual celebration which marks the journey of the deities from the 12th century Jagannath Temple in the chariots to the temple of Devi Gundicha, their aunt. The celebration ends nine days later with 'Bahuda Yatra' or return journey to their temple, which will take place on July 14.