After giving darshan to millions of devotees from the Adapa Mandap, Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities- Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are all set to return towards their abode, Puri Jagannath temple today.
The deities will return in their respective grand chariots which will be pulled by devotees from Gundicha temple to Srimandir. The return journey of the deities is popularly called the 'Bahuda Yatra'.
As per reports, all the associated rituals of the Holy Trinity began at around 4 am today. As per schedule, the ‘Pahandi’ ritual is scheduled to be completed by 12 noon, Chera Panhara to begin at 2 pm and pulling of chariots is expected to start by 4 pm. However, the Pahandi rituals began at around 8 am today.
It is pertinent to mention here that lakhs of devotees participated in the annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri this year after a gap of two years. Earlier, the participation of devotees was not allowed in view of the Covid-19 restrictions.
The servitors and others associated with the rituals for the timely conduct of the Rath Yatra on July 1, this year.
In view of the huge rush of devotees, elaborate security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the Bahuda Yatra today. Earlier on Wednesday, the three chariots were given 'dakhina moda' (turning towards the south).
Railways operating highest ever special trains to and from Puri during Rath Yatra period