After a nine-day-long stay at the “Mausima’s house” (Gundicha temple), lord Jagannath along with his brother Balbhadra and sister Shubhadra will return to his home on Sunday.
The Bahuda Yatra is the home-coming of lord Jagannath. lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra will mount on the lavishly decorated chariot that will be pulled by the devotees.
It is believed that pulling of the chariot would lead the devotee to ‘Moksha’ (salvation). lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Shubhadra are presently in Gundicha Temple, known as their aunt’s house.
On the ninth day, the chariot with the idols will start the return journey, known as Bahuda Yatra, to the main temple. Before starting the procession from Mausima temple festivities and rituals will be carried out.
Mausima temple is dedicated to the aunt of lord Jagannath and the deities would be offered ‘poda pitha’, a special sweet made of rice, coconut, lentils and jaggery.
After the Bahuda Yatra the deities would appear before general public. According to the custom, after the Bahuda Yatra, there would be some rituals in the main temple, which would be performed by local artists.
According to belief, Goddess lakshmi is angry for not allowing her to accompany lord Jagannath in the Gundicha Yatra. On the fifth day, she visits the Gundicha temple and while returning, an angered goddess damages a part of the lord Jagannath’s chariot.
The lord comes to know about the incident later when he finds her ornaments lying near the damaged chariot. After the deities enter the main temple in ‘Pahandi’ style, the ‘Devadasis’ resume their rituals. A Devadasi, at the command of Goddess lakshmi, closes the lion’s gate for a spell just to show her uneasy concern and then ushers lord Jagannath to the temple.
After an exciting mock quarrel or repartee lord Jagannath is somehow ushered to the entrance of the store where he joins the Goddess and offers her a garland and some sweets.