Lakhs witness grand return of Lord Jagannath to Srimandir in Puri

Lakhs of devotees from across the country thronged the pilgrim town of Puri on Friday to witness Bahuda Yatra, the return car festival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, marking the final phase of the world-famous annual Rath Yatra amid elaborate security arrangements.

The Grand Road (Bada Danda) reverberated with chants of “Jai Jagannath” as devotees pulled the towering wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, transforming the seaside town into a sea of devotion.

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The sibling deities had begun their annual sojourn on July 16, travelling from the 12th-century Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, regarded as their birthplace. After a week-long stay there, they embarked on the ceremonial return journey to the Srimandir in the Bahuda Yatra.

Authorities enforced an unprecedented multi-layered security arrangement across Puri to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. Security deployment and crowd-management measures were significantly intensified following the stampede during this year’s Rath Yatra in which two devotees lost their lives.

The return procession commenced after a series of age-old rituals at the Gundicha Temple. Amid the rhythmic beating of gongs and cymbals and the blowing of conch shells, the deities were ceremonially escorted to their chariots in the elaborate Pahandi ritual.

Lord Jagannath was seated on the 45-foot-high Nandighosh, Lord Balabhadra on the 44-foot-high Taladhwaja, and Devi Subhadra on the 43-foot-high Darpadalan, each magnificently decorated for the occasion.

Puri Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb performed the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual, symbolically sweeping the chariot platforms with a golden broom after offering prayers and sprinkling fragrant water and flowers, reaffirming the belief that all are equal before the Lord.

The deities will remain on their chariots overnight, with priests performing the prescribed rituals. On Saturday, they will appear before devotees in the spectacular Suna Besha, adorned with gold ornaments, one of the most-awaited attractions of the festival that draws massive crowds.

Following the Adhara Pana ritual, in which a sacred drink is offered to the deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will re-enter the Jagannath Temple in the Niladri Bije ceremony and be reinstalled on the Ratna Simhasana (bejewelled throne), formally bringing this year’s Rath Yatra festivities to a close.