Amid tight security, the Bahuda Yatra of lord Jagannath, lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra passed off peacefully in Dhenkanal. Thousands congregated to witness the festival.
Under the guidance of the royal priest Panchana Mishra, all the rituals of the deities were performed before 11 am. The deities were brought to the chariots at about 11.30 am with the traditional Pahandi. The bigger chariot carrying lord Jagannath was pulled by pulled by adults, while the smaller chariot carrying Goddess Subhadra, lord Balaram and lord Jagannath, worshipped at the royal palace of Dhenkanal, was pulled by ladies.
Devotar sources said lord Jagannath’s Sunabehsa was also conducted with much fervour on the occasion of Harisayan Ekadassi from 7.30 pm to 11 pm on Friday. The Bhajan Sandhya Committee organised a Bhajana programme at Rathagada for three days. Anil Bawara from Mumbai and other reputed local singers took part in it.