What to Expect During the Grand Return of Lord Jagannath: Sandhya Darshan at Gundicha Temple

Devotees Gather for Sandhya Darshan at Gundicha Temple
In Puri, a large number of devotees gathered at the Shree Gundicha Temple on Friday to participate in the 'Sandhya Darshan' ceremony, coinciding with the 'Navami Tithi'. This marks the final opportunity for worshippers to pay their respects to the deities—Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath—before their return journey known as 'Bahuda Yatra'.
The Bahuda Yatra, set for Saturday, signifies the deities' return to their original temple after a nine-day annual pilgrimage that commenced with the Rath Yatra on June 27.
To ensure a seamless experience for the devotees, DGP YB Khurania and senior state officials oversaw the event. Khurania stated, "Devotees have been entering the temple in an orderly manner since early morning, and all safety measures are in place. We urge everyone to adhere to the guidelines."
Alongside Khurania, other officials including ADG Soumendra Priyadarshi, senior bureaucrat Aravind Agarwal, Puri Collector Chanchal Rana, and SP Pinak Mishra were present to monitor the situation.
Given the expected high turnout, extensive arrangements were made, as noted by Mishra.
In light of a tragic stampede incident near the temple on June 29 that resulted in three fatalities and numerous injuries, security measures have been significantly enhanced.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) announced that public access to the temple would be allowed until 6 PM on Friday.
SJTA also communicated via an X post that entry at the Singhadwar (Lion's Gate) would be restricted from 6 PM onwards to facilitate essential rituals and preparations for the upcoming Bahuda Yatra.
Sandhya Darshan is celebrated annually on Asadha Shukla Paksha Navami tithi at Gundicha Temple, regarded as one of the most sacred days during the nine-day Rath Yatra festival, according to Pandit Suryanarayan Rathsharma.
Preparations for the return journey include rotating the chariots southward, readying them for the trip back to the historic 12th-century shrine.
Additionally, Puri Police have been conducting inspections of hotels throughout the city to uphold law and order and ensure the safety of all visitors.