Odisha Bahuda Yatra: 4 lakh devotees throng Puri, chariot pulling at 3 pm

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Puri, July 7 :

Over four lakh devotees today thronged Odisha’s temple town of Puri for the Bahuda Yatra or the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan to the Sri Jagannath temple, which they had left nine days ago.

The rituals for the day, which started as early as 4 am in the morning have been conducted smoothly so far, the sources added. The Mangal Aarati  was performed at 7.10 am and the Pahandi or the stylised process of deities stepping out of the temple and moving on to their altars atop the chariots is underway.

The pulling of the chariots is scheduled to begin by 3 pm.

While more than four lakh devotees have already reached here for the grand return of the three chariots, more people are likely to join the festival because of favourable weather conditions, a source in the temple administration said.

The Bahuda Yatra marks the return of Lord Jagannath, brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra from the Gundicha temple to the main Jagannath temple, both in Puri.

Puri is likely to witness a sea of devotees Tuesday to witness the golden attire or Suna Besha of the deities, while they are on their respective chariots.

Around 100 kg of gold ornaments are used for the decoration of the deities during the Suna Besha.