What Makes the Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath a Spectacle of Devotion?

A Grand Celebration in Puri

Puri: The auspicious occasion of Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dashami saw the magnificent Bahuda Yatra (return car festival) of Lord Jagannath celebrated with immense devotion in Puri. Accompanied by His elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Goddess Subhadra, Lord Jagannath commenced His journey from the Gundicha Temple back to the sanctum of the Srimandir. The three grand wooden chariots moved through a sea of enthusiastic devotees.

Traditionally, the chariot pulling began earlier than planned, guided by the Shrimandir administration. The atmosphere along the Bada Danda (Grand Road) was filled with the sounds of chanting 'Haribol,' complemented by drums, bells, and devotional music.

Lord Balabhadra's chariot arrived at the Srimandir around 7:05 PM, followed closely by Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath's chariots. On Sunday, the deities will be adorned in golden attire for the grand Suna Besha ritual. Anticipating a large influx of devotees, extensive security measures were coordinated with the temple and district authorities.

Thanks to favorable weather conditions on Saturday, around 1.2 million devotees gathered in Puri. Special rituals were performed at the Gundicha Temple prior to the Bahuda Yatra. On Friday night, the 'Pahuda Aarti' was conducted, followed by Shreemukh Khadua at 8:25 PM and Bahutakana at 8:55 PM, after which Chaarmala was tied to the Singhasana (throne) by the Koṭha Suaansia servitors. At 12:10 AM, the Daitapati servitors performed the 'Kusuma Lagi' ritual.

On Saturday morning, a series of rituals took place: Kusuma Lagi at 6:40 AM, Mangala Aarti at 7:05 AM, Mailama at 7:10 AM, Tadapa Lagi at 7:15 AM, Rosahoma at 7:10 AM, Avakash Puja at 7:40 AM, Surya Puja at 8:05 AM, Dwarapal Puja at 8:20 AM, culminating in the Bahuda Pahandi starting at 9:55 AM.

During the ceremonial Pahandi procession, the deities were escorted sequentially: Sudarshan first, followed by Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and finally Lord Jagannath. The Pahandi rituals concluded by 12:30 PM, ahead of schedule.

After the Pahandi, the moving idols of Lord Ramakrishna and Shri Madan Mohan were placed on the chariots by 1:05 PM. Subsequently, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb performed the traditional 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual, sweeping the platforms of all three chariots with a golden broom, adhering to royal customs.

He began with Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja, followed by Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha, and then Goddess Subhadra’s Darpadalana.

Following the royal service, horses were yoked, and the chariots adorned with Chaarmala were prepared. By 2:50 PM, Taladhwaja began to roll, pulled by devotees chanting 'Jai Jagannath.'

This was succeeded by the pulling of Subhadra’s and Jagannath’s chariots around 3:45 PM.

Upon reaching the Mausi Maa Temple, the deities were offered the traditional 'Poda Pitha' bhog. After enjoying the offering, the Lords continued their journey towards Srimandir.

Lord Balabhadra’s chariot was the first to arrive at the temple, followed by Goddess Subhadra’s.

However, Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot was temporarily halted near Rajanara. There, Goddess Mahalaxmi arrived at Chahani Mandap to have darshan of Lord Jagannath. She then proceeded toward the halted Nandighosha in a palanquin, accompanied by cymbals, umbrellas, and music.

Later, Gajapati Maharaja performed the Lakshmi-Narayana Bheta ritual, after which Mahalaxmi returned to the temple.

Only then did Lord Jagannath’s chariot resume its journey and reach near the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of Srimandir. For this grand event, the police deployed 205 platoons of force to ensure a smooth and secure celebration.

Despite occasional rain, devotees enthusiastically pulled the three chariots. Numerous state ministers and MLAs also joined in the chariot pulling. The Bahuda Yatra of 2025 concluded successfully, filled with devotion and divine energy.