Puri: Thousands of devotees today thronged the pilgrim city of Puri to witness the world-famous Bahuda Yatra, the return car festival, of the deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Lord Sudarshan and Devi Subhadra.
The Trinity will return to the Lions’ Gate of Srimandir from Srigundicha temple on the occasion of Bahuda Yatra.
The ceremonial pahandi (procession) ritual of the deities started at 9.30 am amidst chantings, beats of cymbals and gongs in rhythmic movement.
The sevayats brought Lord Sundarshan on their shoulder to the Debadalana chariot of Devi Subhadra. This was followed by the pahandi of Lord Balabhadra to the Taladhwaja chariot, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath to the Nandighosa chariot.
The rituals of ‘Mangalarpana’ will be held by 11. 45 AM today. ‘Chhera Panhara’ will be conducted by 3 PM and chariot pulling will begin at 4 PM, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) informed.
The chariots of the deities will halt for a while at the Mausima Temple, also known as Ardhasani Temple during the return journey.
Adequate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik greeted people on the auspicious occasion of Bahuda Yatra.
ମହାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ପବିତ୍ର ବାହୁଡ଼ାଯାତ୍ରା ଉପଲକ୍ଷେ ରାଜ୍ୟବାସୀଙ୍କୁ ମୋର ଆନ୍ତରିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା। ଚତୁର୍ଦ୍ଧାମୂର୍ତ୍ତିଙ୍କ ଅପାର କରୁଣାରୁ ଆମ ରାଜ୍ୟର ପ୍ରଗତି ସହିତ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ କୁସୁମିତ ହେଉ। ଜୟ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ। ? pic.twitter.com/dG096nx0Mt
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 12, 2019