Over seven lakh devotees, braving the heavy rain, participated in the return car festival, Bahuda Yatra, of Shree Jagannath, His elder brother Balabhadra and Their sister Devi Subhadra on Thursday. The deities began their homeward journey riding three chariots after spending nine days in the Gundicha Temple.
Since early morning, millions of devotees were waiting in front of the exit gate of the Gundicha Temple called Nakachana Dwar at Saradhabali to witness the ceremonial Pahandi procession of the deities. It was raining incessantly.
As soon as the deities came out of the Nakachana Dwar to board the chariots, chanting of Haribol, Hulahuli and sloks rented the air. The deities came one after another galloping through the lengthy temple corridor with swinging of giant floral tiaras on their foreheads. The scene captivated the devotees who jostled for a glimpse.
The Daitas (servitors) spent the entire night fashioning Chhenapatta, special armour to the body of the deities which helps absorb the stress caused in riding of the Raths and during the Pahandi. On Thursday early morning, the temple priests performed Mangal Aarati and Surya Puja. The deities were entertained with offering of Khichidi Bhog before beginning their return journey.
The Pahandi began by 12.30 pm and was completed by 2.25 pm. Gajapati Divyasingh Dev, the foremost servitor of the lord, came in a royal procession riding a decorated palanquin and performed the Chherapahanra (sweeping) which was over by 4.10 pm.
First rolled the Taladhwaja Rath of elder brother lord Balabhadra at 4.35 pm, followed by the Darpadallana of Devi Subhadra at 5.20 pm and lord Jagannath’s Nandighos came in the end at about 5.20 pm. None of the Raths could reach the destination, lion’s Gate (Singhadwar) on Thursday.
While the Rath of Balabhadra was in the mid way at Jagannath Ballav, the Rath of Devi Subhadra remained at Balagandi and lord Jagannath’s reached up to the Hospital Square.
The administration is duty bound to steer all the three Raths to their earmarked parking places in front of the lion’s Gate before Friday evening as the famous Sunavesha is to be observed on Friday afternoon.
The pulling of the Raths will resume on Friday morning. Observance of Sunavesha on the Ekadasi Tithi as per the temple almanac is mandatory and the administration has to schedule the pulling and ensure that the three chariots reach the lion’s Gate area of the main temple for Sunavesha. Temple Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, district Collector NK Nayak, SP Anup Kumar Sahu and DGP Sanjib Marik, besides other officials were present.