The Bahuda Yatra, or the return journey, of the Lords of Shree Jagannath Temple is taking place today in Puri, Odisha. This significant event follows the annual sojourn of the deities and marks their return to the main temple. The grand chariots, which have been stationed at Nakachana Dwara of Shree Gundicha Temple, are now ready to carry the deities back. According to tradition, the sibling deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—will be taken to their respective chariots around noon in a ceremonial procession known as Pahandi. This follows the completion of rituals at Shree Gundicha Temple. The pulling of the chariots is scheduled to commence around 4 PM.
The temple administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra. Around 180 police forces and 1,000 officers have been deployed in Puri to manage the large influx of devotees and maintain order during the event. As the chariots progress towards Shree Jagannath Temple, they make a traditional stop at the Mausi Maa Temple, dedicated to the aunt of Lord Jagannath. Here, the deities are offered ‘Poda Pitha,’ a sweet delicacy made of coconut, rice, jaggery, and lentils. After this brief stop, the deities continue their journey. The chariots of Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra proceed to Singhadwar (Lion’s Gate) while the chariot of Lord Jagannath halts in front of the King’s Palace.
Ahead of the Bahuda Yatra, a large number of devotees visited Shree Gundicha Temple to offer prayers and partake in Adapa Abadha (mahaprasad). It is believed that offering prayers to the deities on Adapa Mandap, located in the sanctum sanctorum of Gundicha Temple atop the Ratna Simhasan, can free devotees from the cycle of rebirth. The Bahuda Yatra is a significant religious event that symbolizes the return of the deities to their abode after a brief stay at their birthplace, the Gundicha Temple. This annual event attracts thousands of devotees who participate in the rituals and seek blessings from the Lords.
The Bahuda Yatra, or the return journey, of the Lords of Shree Jagannath Temple is taking place today in Puri, Odisha. This significant event follows the annual sojourn of the deities and marks their return to the main temple. The grand chariots, which have been stationed at Nakachana Dwara of Shree Gundicha Temple, are now ready to carry the deities back. According to tradition, the sibling deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—will be taken to their respective chariots around noon in a ceremonial procession known as Pahandi. This follows the completion of rituals at Shree Gundicha Temple. The pulling of the chariots is scheduled to commence around 4 PM.
The temple administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra. Around 180 police forces and 1,000 officers have been deployed in Puri to manage the large influx of devotees and maintain order during the event. As the chariots progress towards Shree Jagannath Temple, they make a traditional stop at the Mausi Maa Temple, dedicated to the aunt of Lord Jagannath. Here, the deities are offered ‘Poda Pitha,’ a sweet delicacy made of coconut, rice, jaggery, and lentils. After this brief stop, the deities continue their journey. The chariots of Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra proceed to Singhadwar (Lion’s Gate) while the chariot of Lord Jagannath halts in front of the King’s Palace.
Ahead of the Bahuda Yatra, a large number of devotees visited Shree Gundicha Temple to offer prayers and partake in Adapa Abadha (mahaprasad). It is believed that offering prayers to the deities on Adapa Mandap, located in the sanctum sanctorum of Gundicha Temple atop the Ratna Simhasan, can free devotees from the cycle of rebirth. The Bahuda Yatra is a significant religious event that symbolizes the return of the deities to their abode after a brief stay at their birthplace, the Gundicha Temple. This annual event attracts thousands of devotees who participate in the rituals and seek blessings from the Lords.
