Odisha: Bahuda Yatra begins in Puri with Pahandi ritual; Gajapati Maharaja performs Chhera Pahanra
Puri, July 24
Thousands of devotees gathered in Odisha's Puri on Friday as the sacred Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Sudarshan from the Gundicha Temple to the Shri Jagannath Temple, commenced with the traditional Pahandi ritual.
Devotees from across the country and abroad thronged the pilgrim town to witness the grand procession, which marks the return of the deities to the Jagannath Temple after their stay at the Gundicha Temple following the Rath Yatra.
Earlier today, the current titular King of Puri, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, performed the ceremonial Chhera Pahanra, the age-old ritual of sweeping the chariots with a golden broom before the commencement of the Bahuda Rath Yatra.
Participating in the celebrations, BJP MP Sambit Patra said it was a matter of great fortune for him to be part of the Bahuda Yatra and highlighted the unique tradition of Lord Jagannath coming out among devotees during the annual festival.
Speaking to ANI, Patra said, "It's a matter of great fortune that as a devotee, I've got the opportunity to participate in the Rath Yatra in Puri. Today is the Bahuda Rath Yatra, meaning the Lord is returning to the Shri Mandira. On the 16th of this month, he came to the Gundicha Temple during the Rath Yatra. Today is the return journey, the Bahuda Yatra, along with His elder brother, Balabhadra Ji, Devi Subhadra Ji, His sister, and Sudarshan Ji. Of course, nowhere else in the world do we see this kind of democratization. Here, the Lord Himself comes down from His throne. He gives a glimpse to all the devotees. He accepts their prayers and blesses them."
Odisha Minister Suryabanshi Suraj prayed for the well-being of devotees and people across the world on the auspicious occasion of the Bahuda Yatra.
Odisha Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said, "Mahaprabhu's Bahuda Yatra is taking place. On this divine, grand occasion, may all the devotees who have come from all over the country and the world, may everyone be blessed, may the world be blessed, may everyone be benefited. This is my prayer to the Lord today."
On the arrangements for the return procession, Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the administration was aiming for the chariots to begin their journey after the completion of rituals and reach the Singhadwar near the Jagannath Temple by night.
"Once the rituals are completed, the Lord's Rath Yatra will begin. Our aim is that the Lord's journey should start from here around 4 pm and reach Singhadwar near the temple by night. We are confident that Mahaprabhu himself will get this work done and the number of devotees who have come this year, more than last year, the way people have come here for darshan, the Lord will bless them and go to the temple from here," Harichandan told ANI.
The Bahuda Yatra is one of the most significant events of the annual Rath Yatra festival, during which the sibling deities return to the Shri Jagannath Temple after their nine-day stay at the Gundicha Temple. The festival draws lakhs of devotees every year, with elaborate security and administrative arrangements put in place to facilitate the smooth conduct of the procession.
The annual Rath Yatra remains one of India's largest religious congregations, symbolising faith, devotion and inclusivity as millions of devotees gather to pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra in a centuries-old tradition celebrated across India and beyond.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I wish the administration would focus more on crowd management and basic amenities like water, toilets, and first aid. Thousands of devotees, especially the elderly and women, suffer in the heat. Faith is great, but the government should ensure safety and comfort too. Lord Jagannath would want us to take care of His children.
Nothing beats the energy of Puri during Rath Yatra! I was there last year for Bahuda Yatra, and the moment the chariots start moving, the entire atmosphere changes – chants of "Jai Jagannath" fill the air. It's not just a festival; it's a living tradition that brings together rich and poor, young and old, Indians and foreigners. Truly democratization of devotion, as Sambit Patra rightly said.
As someone who attended this once as a tourist from the US, I can say the devotion and organization are incredible. The rituals are so detailed, and the purity of the traditions is awe-inspiring. It's heartwarming to see the Lord "come down to the people" – a beautiful metaphor for humility. May the blessings of Lord Jagannath reach everyone.
It's good that the rituals are continuing without disruption. But I hope the government also uses such occasions to promote Odisha's tourism properly. Puri, Konark, Bhubaneswar – these are world-class heritage sites. Instead of just hosting the yatra, we should develop infrastructure to make it a year-round destination. Chhera Pahanra is a unique tradition that the world should know more about!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.