Bahuda Yatra Celebrations Attract Massive Crowds in Puri

The Bahuda Yatra in Puri has drawn a significant number of devotees, marking the return of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from the Gundicha Temple. The event is filled with traditional rituals, music, and dance, creating a vibrant atmosphere of devotion. With extensive security measures in place, authorities are prepared for the expected influx of pilgrims, anticipating around seven lakh attendees for the Yatra and over ten lakh for the subsequent 'Suna Besha' ritual. This celebration showcases the rich cultural heritage and spiritual fervor of the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 24, 2026, 16:22 IST

Devotees Gather for Bahuda Yatra in Puri

File image of Bahuda Yatra arrangements in Puri(Photo: IANS)

Bhubaneswar, July 24: A large number of devotees flocked to Puri, Odisha, as the Bahuda Yatra commenced on Friday, featuring the Pahandi Bije rituals for Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, sister Devi Subhadra, and the celestial weapon Chakraraj Sudarshan.

This event signifies the deities' return journey from the Gundicha Temple back to the Shree Jagannath Temple after a nine-day stay.

The holy trio was ceremoniously transported to their chariots from the Gundicha Temple in a grand Pahandi Bije procession, accompanied by the captivating sounds of traditional musical instruments.

The atmosphere in the coastal city was filled with the chants of 'Jay Jagannath' and 'Hari Bol' from the gathered devotees, creating a deeply devotional ambiance. Priests recited sacred Vedic hymns, while traditional Odissi dancers performed, and devotees expressed their devotion through dance and chanting.

Following tradition, once the deities are seated on their chariots, the king of Puri, Gajapati Dibya Singh Deb, will perform the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots with a golden broom, known as the 'Chera Pahanra' ritual, before the devotees pull the three chariots from the Gundicha Temple to the Jagannath Temple.

Temple officials and district administration are actively working to ensure that all rituals proceed smoothly, aiming to prevent any incidents. The Odisha Police have implemented extensive security and traffic measures to facilitate the Bahuda Yatra and the 'Suna Besha' rituals.

Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Satyajit Naik, informed the media that 223 police personnel have been assigned for crowd control, traffic management, chariot pulling, night security, and coastal safety during the Bahuda Yatra.

He noted that police preparations have been heightened this year due to the expected large influx of pilgrims for the Bahuda Yatra and 'Suna Besha' rituals.

According to the IGP, approximately seven lakh devotees are anticipated to visit Puri for the Bahuda Yatra on Friday, with the holy city expecting over 10 lakh devotees during the 'Suna Besha' ritual on Saturday.