Puri, Odisha: With just days left for the highly awaited Bahuda Yatra – the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra to their main abode, preparations have picked up full pace. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), in coordination with the Puri district authorities and police, has begun crucial groundwork to ensure the smooth conduct of the ritual-rich event on July 5, 2025.
🌼 Divine Darshan Continues at Shree Gundicha Temple
For the third consecutive day, thousands of devotees are enjoying uninterrupted darshan of the sibling deities at the Shree Gundicha Temple, which is considered their maternal home. Following the completion of the Hera Panchami rituals on Tuesday night, focus has now shifted to the Dakshina Moda – the ceremonial southward turning of the chariots in preparation for the return journey.
🚩 Chariots Positioned at Saradhabali, Set to Turn for Bahuda
The three majestic rathas —
- Taladhwaja (for Lord Balabhadra),
- Darpadalan (for Devi Subhadra), and
- Nandighosh (for Lord Jagannath) —
are currently stationed at Saradhabali, the sacred sands in front of the Gundicha Temple.
These chariots will undergo the ‘Dakshina Moda’ ritual, marking the turning of their direction to face south toward the Shree Mandir. The ceremonial garlands or ‘Agyanmala’, signifying divine permission, have already arrived on each chariot.
👣 A Devotional Duty: The Agnyamala Ritual
The ‘Sakaladhupa’ (morning bhog offering) was completed, after which servitors began the process of repositioning the chariots. According to servitor Madhav Pujapanda, who carried the garlands from the temple to the chariots, it is a deeply fulfilling experience to be part of these centuries-old rituals. The chariots are not pulled by devotees yet – only designated police personnel and a few servitors conduct the repositioning before the grand procession.
🕉️ Rasalila Begins: A Divine Love Play
From Wednesday, the temple will also witness the start of the three-day Rasalila, wherein Lord Jagannath performs a divine play with the Gopis (female devotees of Krishna). This spiritual episode reflects the leelas of Lord Krishna and symbolizes divine love and devotion.
🪔 Hera Panchami: Lakshmi’s Divine Wrath
On Tuesday night, the emotionally charged Hera Panchami ritual took place. According to Jagannath tradition, Goddess Lakshmi, feeling insulted for being left behind during the Rath Yatra, reaches the Gundicha Temple in anger. She confronts Lord Jagannath, symbolically damages a part of the Nandighosh chariot, and returns in a ceremonial retreat to the main shrine. This represents a unique divine drama of love, jealousy, and reconciliation in the Jagannath culture.
🔜 The Return Procession on July 5
As per tradition, on the day of Bahuda Yatra:
- Darpadalan (Subhadra’s chariot) will move first,
- Followed by Taladhwaja (Balabhadra’s chariot),
- And finally Nandighosh (Jagannath’s chariot).
The procession will move towards the ‘Nakachana Dwara’, where the chariots will be pulled again by lakhs of devotees, retracing their path to the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple.
The Bahuda Yatra is not just a religious event; it is an embodiment of devotion, tradition, and divine energy that binds millions of devotees to the sacred land of Puri. With each step and ritual—from Hera Panchami to Dakshina Moda to Rasalila—the cultural and spiritual legacy of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra deepens.
As the city of Puri readies itself for this divine spectacle, the entire nation and devotees across the globe await the grand return of the Lords with folded hands and hearts full of devotion.
