On June 26, the Bahuda Rath Yatra or the ‘Return Car Festival’ is set to begin, from Gundicha Temple to Jagannath Temple in Puri, on the 9th day of Jagannath Rath Yatra. Throngs of devotees gathered from all over the country and abroad and danced and celebrated in wait for Lord Jagannath.
As per the significance of the Rath Yatra, it takes place on the second day of the Odia month of Ashadha Shukla Tithi (bright fortnight) every year to commemorate the journey of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings from their abode —the 12th century Jagannath Temple, to the Gundicha Temple, believed to be their aunt’s home. Goddess Ardhasini, also known as Mausima, is believed to be the deities’ aunt.
The deities board three huge decorated chariots following the Pahandi ritual (ceremonial procession), before marching for around 3 km to the Gundicha Temple. Millions of devotees pull the chariots on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) of Puri town.
It is also believed that as non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the Jagannath temple, Lord Jagannath, believed to be the Lord of the Universe, steps out of his sanctum sanctorum during Rath Yatra to meet all his devotees.
The return festival or Bahuda Yatra is organised on Ashadha Shukla Dasami (10th day). On their way back to the 12th-century shrine, the deities are offered a special cake called ‘Poda Pitha’, made of rice, coconut, lentils and jaggery at the Mausimaa Temple (their aunt’s temple). When the chariots reach Singhadwara (the Lion’s Gate) of the temple, some special rituals are conducted by the servitors.
It is said that after a nine-day long annual sojourn in Gundicha Temple, the Holy Trinity- Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath will return to their abode Srimandir in Puri today. The return journey is called Bahuda Yatra. ‘Bahuda’ in Odia means ‘return’. A thick blanket of security cover has been spread over Puri to ensure smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra.
The Rath Yatra is carried out at a grand scale every year in Puri. Multi-layer security arrangements had been made for the smooth conduct of the festival this year.
A devotee present at the Gundicha Temple for the Yatra in Puri spoke about the arrangements and resources spent on the manufacturing of the three chariots. He said that Lord Jagannath visits the temple once a year and stays there for seven days, after which he returns. He travels by chariot and spends two days on the road, and this is the time during which devotees are eager to seek his blessings.
“For the two days of the Lord’s travel, at least 5 crore rupees are spent on the manufacturing of his Rath. It takes around four to five months to make the chariot and 600 to 700 people are employed in the task. All of the Odisha administrative officials oversee the preparations,” said the devotee.
The Rath Yatra is one of the famous Hindu festivals celebrated across the world. The Yatra is associated with Lord Jagannath at Shri Kshetra Puri Dham in Odisha.
At Puri, idols of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings- elder brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra installed on majestic chariots give darshan to the public and visit the Gundicha Temple.
The three chariots are pulled by lakhs of devotees from in front of the Singha Dwar of Jagannath Temple towards the Gundicha Temple. According to Puri Shree Mandir Administration about 13 lakh people participate in the chariot festival. The Yatra started on June 20 from the Puri Jagannath temple and concluded at Shree Gundicha temple, covering nearly a 3-kilometre distance.
The deities had a nine-day sojourn at the Gundicha temple. They return to Shree Mandir after completing the Yatra on the same chariots during the ‘Bahuda Yatra’ on June 28.
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