Bahuda Jatra Hosted at Gujarat’s Adalaj Temple

Ahmedabad: The Bahuda Jatra of Lord Jagannath was celebrated in Gujarat’s Adalaj Temple with glory and grandeur.

A special worship was performed before the Deities stationed at the makeshift Aunt’s house inside the community hall at the ground floor of the main temple during the day.

In the evening the return journey of the Gods and Goddess was commenced. The Deities were taken in a procession by the servitors and devotees from the Adap Mandap to the special platform staged on the first floor of the temple just at the end of twenty-two steps.

On the auspicious occasion, a play titled “Mahabahu Pheri Jaa”, based on the stories and miraculous acts of Lord Jagannath, was staged. It was produced by the Management Committee of the temple Shree Jagannath Cultural Academy and Research Centre (JCARC).

Directed by Hare Krushna Dash, president of Odisha Socio Cultural Association, the mythological enactment evoked overwhelming appreciation among the spectators. The Temple’s Committee members were seen portraying several roles in the play. While chairman of the Committee Dr S .K. Nanda played Gajapati, member secretary Badri Mahapatra played Lord Jagannath and core group member Usharani Tripathy played Goddess Lakshmi.  The play received massive applause from the audience.

The Goddess Lakshmi’s team consisted of Bhubaneswari Panda, Nibedita Sahu, Leela Das, Trupti Mohapatra, Suprabha Mishra, Sandhya Panda, Sucharita Tripathy, Manorama Mishra and Mita Das played the role of lady servitors. The team mates of Lord Jagnnath included Rabi Ranjan Panda as Badapanda, Basant Panda as Sarathi, Maheswar Sahu as Dibyalochan, Narayan Swain as Daitapati, Ganesh Sabat as Mahanta, Harekrushna Dash as Chudamani and Ashok Samal as Pratihari.

At around 8.00 pm, the Deities were escorted to the main temple and seated on the Ratna Singhasana amidst bhajans and kirtans and an arti was performed.

Later, noted artists from Gujarat recited scintillating devotional songs in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Earlier, during Lords’ nine-day stay at the Gundicha Temple, colourful cultural shows consisting of spectacular music and dance recitals were presented by renowned troupes in front of the Adap Mandap.

The entire arrangements of Bahuda Yatra was managed by Temple Management Committee’s chairman Dr. Sudeep Kumar Nanda, member secretary Badri Mahapatra, members Harekrushna Dash, Maheswar Sahu, Dr. Nibedita Sahu, Leela Das, Rabi Panda, Ashok Samal, Satya Mishra, Narayan Swain, Ajay Das, Mahendra Das, Rohit Nayak, Nigmananda Das, Basant Panda and Ganesh Nayak.