The Daksihini Moda (changing direction towards south, meaning towards the Shreemandir) of Nandighos, Taladhwaja and Darpadalan chariots belonging to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, respectively, will take place on Wednesday.
The chariots, presently parked in front of the Gundicha Temple main gate, will shift to Nakachana Dwar, the exit door of the temple. The chariots will be placed there with their faces changing to the southern direction.
They chariots are now facing the north and the change to south direction will set the stage for the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey, scheduled on Friday.
As part of preparedness for the Bahuda Yatra of the Lords to the Shreemandir, the chariots will be pulled backward in order to fix them facing the south direction; and the process is conducted after an order from the trinity through a ritual.
The process of Dakshini Moda of chariots, which is an important rite of the nine-day Rath Yatra is usually a time taking affair which involves engagement of huge police forces, servitors and devotees. Amidst beating of drums and ringing of cymbals, large crowds take part in the Dakshini Moda festival at the Saradhabali.
After several to-and-fro movements, the cars are ultimately fixed at the Nakachana Dwar, from where they would start back journey to the Shreemandir. Since the process of changing of direction to such large chariots is quite onerous, it takes at least a day or two to complete.
As there are chances of breakage to the wheels or axles during a strained bending process, so it takes time which is guided by experts of chariots, railway engineers and police.
After the chariots are placed at the Nakachana Dwar, the carpenters go for a thorough checkup of the entire bodies of the chariots and, if required, an immediate repair to the damaged parts so as to make them fit for the Bahuda festival.