Puri Rath Yatra 2025: Lord Jagannath, siblings enter aunt’s house at Gundicha Temple

Hours after the tragic stampede that claimed three lives and left over 50 injured near the Gundicha Temple in Puri pilgrimage town, hundreds of devotees gathered with renewed devotion to witness the sacred ‘Pahandi Bije’ of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra on Sunday.

Also Read: Puri Rath Yatra 2025: ‘Adapa Mandapa Bije’ today; all you need to know about the special ritual

The ritual, known as ‘Adapa Mandapa Bije’, holds immense significance in Jagannath culture. During this ritual, the sibling deities are ceremonially taken in a grand procession to the Gundicha Temple. The temple, located around 3 Km away from the 12th Century Vaishnavite shrine, is the aunt's house of Lord Jagannath and His siblings.

During the 9-day annual sojourn (Rath Yatra), the deities visit their aunt’s home, stay there for seven days, and then return to their main abode — the Jagannath Temple.

According to mythology, it is believed, Gundicha Temple is the place where wooden idols of the sibling deities were constructed by Lord Viswakarma. Therefore, Gundicha Temple is also considered as the Janmabhoomi (birthplace) of the Lords.

The air was filled with chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Haribol', as the three deities made their way from their chariots to the sanctum sanctorum of the Gundicha Temple.

Lord Balabhadra was the first to proceed to the temple, followed by Goddess Subhadra. Lord Jagannath was the last to enter his aunt’s house.

Worth mentioning, at least three devotees were killed and over 50 injured in a stampede at Saradhabali near Gundicha Temple in Puri, in the early hours of Sunday, where the three chariots with the Holy Trinity onboard were stationed.

The three deceased have been identified as Prabhati Das, Basanti Sahu, and Premakanta Mohanty.

According to reports, the mishap occurred at around 4.20 AM when an overwhelming crowd of devotees had gathered for darshan of Lord Jagannath and His siblings.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the situation turned chaotic when two trucks carrying 'Charamala' entered the densely packed area, leading to panic and a sudden rush among devotees.