Lakhs of devotees witness Bahuda Yatra, Lord Jagannath’s return journey, in Puri

Bahuda Yatra was held smoothly days after the stampede in which three people died during the Rath Yatra festival in Puri

Artistes perform during the Bahuda Yatra, or return car festival of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath on Taladwaj, Darpadalan and Nandighosh chariots respectively, in Puri | PTI Artistes perform during the Bahuda Yatra, or return car festival of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath on Taladwaj, Darpadalan and Nandighosh chariots respectively, in Puri | PTI

In the wake of a stampede on June 29 during the Rath Yatra festival in Puri, the administration meticulously planned the Bahuda Yatra (return journey) of the deities held on Saturday.

This year’s Rath Yatra had brought ignominy for the one-year-old BJP government in Odisha as the chariots got stuck midway on the first day of the festival on June 27. Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosh chariot had hardly moved a few metres.

On June 29, hours after the three chariots reached the Sri Gundicha temple, the stampede took place, leaving three devotees dead.

So, when the Bahuda Yatra, in which the Lords return to the main entrance (Lions Gate) of the Jagannath temple, was held smoothly on Saturday, it was a great relief for temple administration as well as state government.

After the first day of screw-up and the the stampede incident, the state government had taken no chance and appointed a new district collector and superintendent of police. A senior IAS officer and an IPS officer were also posted to handle the rest of the Yatra.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, along with Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, has been camping at Puri to oversee the Rath Yatra management. Harichandan personally interacted with the servitors in the presence of the Chief Administrator of Sri Jagannath temple Dr Arabindo Padhee and new Collector Chanchal Rana. He urged the servitors to perform all rituals on time including the conduct of the Pahandi.

As a result, the Pahandi slated for noon was completed at 12.30 pm, two hours before the scheduled time. The chherapahnara ritual was performed by Gajapati Dibyasingha Dev on the three Rathas and was completed one hour ahead of the scheduled time. The pulling of the Rathas was scheduled for 4 pm. The first Ratha, the Taladhwaja Ratha of Lord Balabhadra, rolled out at 3 pm. 

The sky was thickly overcast and it was drizzling all through the day. Over half a million devotees had converged at Badadanda and participated in the pulling of the Rathas to the main temple. Hundreds witnessed the most spectacular scene of the festival, the ceremonial Pahandi of the deities.

Daitas conducted the ritual on Balabhadra first, then on Devi Subhadra and later on Lord Jagannath. Devotees jostled among themselves to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannath with a bouncing flora tiara on his head. Halfway along Badadanda, Lord Jagannath took a brief halt near Mausima temple to taste ‘Podapitha’, a special cake prepared by his aunt. The Taladhwaja Ratha of Lord Balabhadra reached the Simhadwar first, followed by Devi Subhadra in her Darpadalan Ratha. Lord Jagannath came riding his Nandighosh Ratha and stopped near the royal palace close to Simhadwar for the ‘Laxmi Narayan Bheta’ ritual. Gajapati Dibyasingh Dev assisted by the servitors, performed this ritual.

Earlier, before the procession started, the priests performed the daily chores of the deities, beginning with Mangal Arati, followed by Mailum, Tadap Lagi, Abakash, Surya Puja and Rosa Homa. They dressed the deities in new clothes and offered Gopal bhog before the Pahandi. Gajapati Dibyasingha Dev performed chherapahanara which began at 2.10 pm and was completed at 3.10  pm. Servitors fixed wooden horses to the chariots and the first Rath, Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra was pulled by devotees at 3.25 pm. Darpadalan Ratha of Devi Subhadra was pulled at 4 pm and Nandighosh of Lord Jagannath was pulled by 4.15 pm. 

The Trinity will remain on their respective chariots till they enter the main temple. Suna Vesha and Adharapana (offering of delicious drink) will be observed on their Rathas on Sunday and Monday, respectively. The devotees will witness the much-awaited Suna Vesha, where the deities will be adorned with intricate gold ornaments, a spectacle that draws millions to Puri’s Bada Danda. The deities positioned on their Rathas will be embellished with gold jewellery after the daily rituals, offering a divine darshan to devotees from the afternoon onwards. The administration anticipates over 1.5 million devotees flocking to Puri for this grand event.

The Trinity will enter the main temple in a ritual called Niladri Bije on Tuesday, marking the end of this year’s Rath Yatra festival.

TAGS

Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp