The stage is set for the world-famous Bahuda Yatra, the return car festival, of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and their sister Devi Subhadra in the holy city of Puri in Odisha today. Lakhs of devotees have thronged to Puri since this morning to seek blessings and witness the Bahuda Yatra, which marks the return of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from Gundicha Temple to Sri Mandir.
The Chhera Pahanra, sweeping around the deities on three chariots with a golden broom, by King of Puri Gajapati Dibya Singh Deb is scheduled to be held between 2.30 to 3.30 this afternoon and the pulling of the chariots is scheduled at 4 this evening. Elaborate security and other arrangements have been made in Puri for the Bahuda Yatra.
Akashvani’s correspondent reports that Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan will return to their abode Sri Mandir after spending eight days at the Gundicha temple. All three chariots, Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Debadalana, have already given a south turn, dakshin moda, and parked at Saradha Bali in front of the Nakachana Dwar of the Gundicha temple.
The deities will be escorted out one by one in Goti Pahandi from the sanctum sanctorum of the Gundicha temple. The Pahandi will begin by noon and will be completed by 2.30 this afternoon. Gajapati Dibyasingh Dev will perform Chherapahanra, sweeping around the deities on three chariots with a golden broom, at about 2.30 which will be completed by 3.30 this afternoon.
After fixing wooden horses to the chariots, the devotees will pull the chariots at 4 in the evening with the first chariot Taladhwaj of Balabhadra followed by the Darpadalan of Devi Subhadra, and finally the Nandighosha chariot of Lord Jagannath. The Bahuda yatra will be followed by Sunavesha of the deities atop their respective chariot on Wednesday and Adharpana, another festival, also on the chariot on Thursday. The Niladri Bije, the return of the deities to their original abode in the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Jagannath temple will be held on Friday.
