Lord Jagannath's 'Bahuda Yatra' begins with ceremonial rituals

Lord Jagannath's 'Bahuda' Yatra or return car festival began on Saturday with the ceremonial 'Pahandi' ritual during which the idols are carried in a ceremonial procession from Shree Gundicha Temple to the chariots parked at Saradhabali.

Though the 'Pahandi' ritual was scheduled to begin at 12 noon, it started at 10.30 a.m. during which the trinity--Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath--are taken one by one to the chariots.

The festival is being conducted under unprecedented security arrangements in the backdrop of a stampede near Gundicha Temple on June 29 when three people were killed and around 50 others injured.

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

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Naveen Patnaik greeted the people to mark the auspicious occasion of Bahuda yatra.

"Greetings to all on the occasion of Bahuda Yatra. By the Grace of the Lord, everyone's life be filled with happiness, peace, and prosperity," Majhi said in a post on X.

Amid the beating of gongs, and blowing of conches and cymbals, Chakraraj Sudarshan was first to be carried out from Shree Gundicha temple and seated at the 'Darpadalan' chariot of Devi Subhadra. Shree Sudarshan is the wheel weapon of Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in the form of Lord Jagannath in Puri, said Pandit Suryanaray Rathsharma.

Shree Sudarshan was followed by Lord Balabhadra, the elder brother of Lord Jagannath. Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath was being brought to her 'Darpadalan' chariot in a special procession called 'Sunya Pahandi' (the Goddess looking at the sky while being carried to the chariot) by servitors. Finally, Lord Jagannath would be brought to his chariot Nandighosh.

After the deities are seated on their chariots, as per tradition, 'Chhera pahanra' (sweeping of chariots) ritual would be performed by Puri's titular 'king' Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb between 2.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. before pulling of chariots at 4 p.m. as per the programme. However, this ritual also may be performed earlier than the schedule, an official said.

Meanwhile, lakhs of devotees have thronged the pilgrim town of Puri to witness the annual Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.