A day after embarking on a nine-day sojourn, Lord Balabhadra, Jagannath and Devi Subhadra along with Lord Sudarshan will be escorted to the Adapa Mandapa in the Gundicha Temple in Puri today.
Earlier on Friday, all the three deities were ushered to the Gundicha Temple from the Srimandir in a grand procession witnessed by lakhs of devotees on the iconic Bada Danda for the first time after two years of Covid curbs.
As per tradition, the Lords spend the next day after the Gundicha Jatra seated on their respective chariots. The deities observe all their daily rituals on the raths itself during the entire day before being taken to the Adapa Mandapa.
During the stay on the chariots, devotees get the once-a-year chance to witness the besha (decoration) and other nitis of the deities, the only time they are observed outside of the Srimandir.
Meanwhile, a large congregation of devotees has been witnessed near the Gundicha Temple right from the wee hours today to take darshan of deities placed atop their thrones on raths.
However, due to security reasons, people are barred to touch the chariots which have been put under cordon and tight police protection.
The three deities will be moved one by one to the Adapa Mandapa today evening after the Sandhya Dhupa in singular procession called Goti Pahandi.
Devotees can relish the chance to avail the Adapa Abadha, the special prasad prepared during the week-long stay of the deities at the Gundicha Temple from tomorrow. Similarly, public darshan will also be allowed into the Gundicha Temple from tomorrow.