Bahuda Jatra: Lords make way back to Srimandir

Puri: Lord Jagannath and His Divine siblings made their way back to Srimandir after a week-long stay at Gundicha Temple during Ratha Jatra in Puri.

For the first time in decades, the Bahuda Jatra was held sans devotees with participation of only Sevayats and SJTA administration prohibiting congregation to contain possible spread of novel coronavirus during 9-day-long sojourn of Lord Jagannath in pilgrim town.

The chariots – Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosha – parked at Saradhabali were pulled by servitors and on-duty police personnel from the Gundicha Temple to Bada Danda (Grand Road) with chants of ‘Hari Bol’ amidst beating of cymbals and blowing of conch shells.

The deities began return journey to their abode Srimandir following they were brought to their respective chariots in ceremonial dhadi pahandi from inner sanctum of Gundicha Temple in the morning. The chhera pahanra (sweeping) rituals were performed by King Dibyasingha Deb on three chariots between 10.30 am and 11.15 am.

The pulling of chariots started at 11.25 am, ahead of schedule fixed by the SJTA.

The servitors and police personnel pulled Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra following which the chariots of Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were pulled one after another.