What to Expect from the Spectacular Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri?

The Grand Return of Lord Jagannath and His Siblings

Puri: The much-anticipated return journey of Lord Jagannath along with His siblings commenced on Saturday with the Bahuda Yatra, featuring an early start for the pulling of Lord Balabhadra’s chariot.

The traditional Pahandi procession, where the deities are carried to their respective chariots, kicked off around 10 a.m., well ahead of the planned noon schedule. This sacred ritual began with Chakraraj Sudarshan, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and ultimately Lord Jagannath.

The deities were placed on their designated chariots: Taladhwaja for Lord Balabhadra, Darpadalana for Devi Subhadra, and Nandighosa for Lord Jagannath. The entire process spanned approximately two hours.

The term Pahandi is derived from the Sanskrit word Padamundanam, which signifies a slow and majestic movement.

Additionally, the Chhera Pahanra ritual took place, where Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb swept the chariot floors with a golden broom.

Once the deities were seated on their chariots in front of the Gundicha Temple, the pulling of the Taladhwaja chariot began earlier than expected, signaling the start of the return car festival.

Prior to the Pahandi, several customary rituals, including ‘Mangla Arati’ and ‘Mailam’, were performed before the deities emerged from the temple's sanctum sanctorum.

Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik extended their greetings to the public on this auspicious occasion.

“Wishing everyone a joyous Bahuda Yatra. May the Lord bless all with happiness, peace, and prosperity,” Majhi shared on X.

Thousands of devotees have flocked to Puri to partake in the annual Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath and His siblings.

This year’s festival is being held under stringent security measures following a tragic stampede near Gundicha Temple on June 29, which resulted in three fatalities and around 50 injuries.

To prevent any incidents, a total of 10,000 personnel, including 6,150 from Odisha Police and 800 from CAPFs, have been deployed in the temple town, according to an official.

The police have issued a traffic advisory for visitors, anticipating a large turnout due to favorable weather conditions.

Over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras, along with drone technology, are being utilized to monitor the crowd and ensure safety from any potential disturbances.

Odisha DGP YB Khurania and other senior police and administrative officials have been stationed in Puri for the past two days to guarantee a smooth Bahuda Yatra.

During their visit to the Gundicha temple, which is revered as the birthplace of Lord Jagannath and His siblings, countless devotees had the opportunity to have darshan of the deities.