Three divine chariots before the Singha Dwar(Lion Gate) of Shree Mandir Puri
Bhubaneswar: After the conclusion of the nine-day-long Janmabedi rituals, the sacred Daru-Brahma deities—Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra commenced their return journey to the Ratnavedi through the auspicious Bahuda Yatra. On this sacred occasion held on Friday, the world once again witnessed the divine and enchanting leela of the Mahaprabhu of the Universe. Amid an overwhelming gathering of millions of devotees, the three majestic chariots rolled along the historic Bada Danda (Grand Road) of Puri, creating a magnificent spectacle of devotion and faith.
During the Bahuda Yatra, an extraordinary wave of devotion was witnessed among the devotees, all eager for a glimpse of the deities and the sacred opportunity to touch the chariots. Lakhs of devotees thronged the streets for a single darshan . As part of the tradition, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Mahaprabhu Jagannath paused near the Mausimaa Temple, where they were offered the traditional ‘Poda Pitha’ bhog.
Subsequently, the Nandighosha chariot halted near the Shreenahar (Royal Palace), where the ceremonial Lakshmi-Narayan Milan was performed by the Gajapati Maharaja. By around 11 PM, all three chariots reached the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Shree Jagannath Temple, marking the culmination of the return journey.
This year, the Bahuda Yatra witnessed the participation of more than seven lakh devotees. Favorable weather conditions further contributed to the large turnout. The entire stretch of Bada Danda resonated with chants of “Jai Jagannath,” “Hari Bol,” and traditional hula-huli sounds, immersing the atmosphere in deep spiritual fervor.
Even during the night, the chariots continued their movement under high-powered illumination, transforming the entire area into a radiant and divine landscape. Mahaprabhu Jagannath, affectionately referred to as “Manima,” captivated devotees with His human-like divine pastimes as He approached the Singhadwara. The rhythmic sounds of bells, traditional instruments, and devotional songs infused the surroundings with spiritual energy.
The Bahuda Yatra was not only a religious congregation but also a vibrant display of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. Traditional Odissi dance performances, Chhau and Chakra Banati displays, and other folk presentations enthralled the audience.
Artists dressed as Prabhu Hanuman and Mahaprabhu Krishna performed expressive dances, beautifully depicting episodes from the Dwapara Yuga. Devotees were deeply moved by the darshan of the deities adorned with the elaborate ‘Tahia’ (ceremonial headgear), enhancing the visual and spiritual appeal of the occasion.
The day of the Bahuda Yatra began with Mangala Aarti at the Gundicha Temple. This was followed by a series of traditional rituals including Mailam, Tadaplagi, Rosahoma, Surya Puja, and Dwarapala Puja. At around 10:20 AM, Gopal Ballabh Bhog was offered, after which the ceremonial Pahandi procession commenced.
All rituals of the Bahuda Yatra were conducted in accordance with sacred traditions. The Pahandi procession—the ceremonial movement of the deities from the sanctum to the chariots—began ahead of schedule at 10:50 AM. Mahaprabhu Sudarshan, Mahaprabhu Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Mahaprabhu Jagannath were carried in a grand procession from the sanctum of Gundicha Temple and ceremoniously placed on their respective chariots.
Mahaprabhu Balabhadra was quickly seated on the Taladhwaja chariot, followed by Devi Subhadra on the Darpadalan chariot. However, the Pahandi of Mahaprabhu Jagannath experienced a slight delay and concluded around 2:15 PM.
Following this, the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, performed the sacred ‘Chhera Panhara’ ritual. In this unique ceremony, the king swept the floors of the three chariots with a golden broom, symbolizing humility and service before the divine.
After the completion of this ritual, the atmosphere echoed with chants of devotion, accompanied by conch shells and cymbals, as the pulling of the chariots began in the evening.
Following the rituals, Bhoi Sevakas removed the Charamalas from the chariots, after which the horses were mounted, marking the formal commencement of the chariot pulling.
Mahaprabhu Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot was the first to move toward the Shree Mandir. Soon after, Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalan chariot joined the journey. The chariots moved at scheduled intervals—Taladhwaja at 4:29 PM, Darpadalan at 5:07 PM, and Nandighosha at 5:42 PM.
Taladhwaja reached the Singhadwara at 8:15 PM, followed by Darpadalan at 8:58 PM. The Nandighosha chariot halted near the royal palace for the Lakshmi-Narayan Milan ritual and finally reached the Singhadwara at around 10:55 PM.
Thus, the Bahuda Yatra once again offered a grand and divine spectacle of Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s leela, immersing millions of devotees in spiritual bliss.
On Saturday, the auspicious occasion of Ekadashi, the grand ‘Sunabesha’ (Golden Attire) of Mahaprabhu Jagannath will be observed. Devotees will be able to have darshan of the deities adorned in golden ornaments while seated on their chariots from 5 PM onwards. The ritual is scheduled to commence at 5 PM and conclude by approximately 6:30 PM.
Special arrangements have been made for the smooth viewing of this rare and sacred attire of the Daru-Brahma deities. Daitapati servitors have been instructed to remain vigilant and ensure that no obstruction occurs during darshan by standing in front of the deities.
During the Sunabesha, the Sandhya Dhupa (evening ritual offering) will also be performed. At 9:15 PM, the Mahadeepa will be offered, followed by the Mailam (change of attire) between 10 PM and 11 PM, as informed by the Shree Jagannath Temple administration.
Following the Sunabesha, preparations are underway for the upcoming rituals. On the 26th, the Adharapana Niti and Garuda Shayana rituals will be observed. This will be followed by the sacred Niladri Bije ceremony on the 27th, marking the final return of the deities to the sanctum of the temple.
With the successful conclusion of the sacred Bahuda Yatra, the holy city of Puri is now gearing up for the much-awaited Suna Besha ritual of Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Anticipating a massive influx of devotees, the district police administration has put in place extensive arrangements to ensure smooth crowd management and public safety.
Superintendent of Police Pratik Singhi informed that lakhs of devotees are expected to gather for the Suna Besha, an annual ritual that draws enormous spiritual significance and public participation. “The Bahuda Yatra has concluded successfully. On Satutday , the Suna Besha ritual will take place. Every year, lakhs of devotees visit Puri for this occasion,” he said.
Highlighting the preparedness of the administration, the SP stated that special arrangements have been made to manage the large crowds effectively. Additional parking facilities have been developed to accommodate the surge in vehicles arriving from different parts of the state and country.
The grand celebration of the Bahuda Yatra once again reaffirmed the deep-rooted faith, cultural richness, and timeless spiritual traditions associated with Mahaprabhu Jagannath, leaving millions of devotees spiritually enriched and emotionally fulfilled.
