The Business Bytes
PURI, JULY 15, 2024 (TBB BUREAU): Amidst fervent chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’ and the resonant beat of cymbals, thousands of devotees joyously pulled the ornate chariots carrying the revered sibling deities – Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra – during the ‘Bahuda Yatra’ or return car festival here on Monday.
Scheduled to commence at 4 pm, the chariot pulling began earlier than anticipated. The procession started with the pulling of Lord Balabhadra’s majestic chariot, ‘Taladwaja’, at 3:25 pm, followed by Devi Subhadra’s chariot, ‘Devadalan’, at 4 pm. The grand chariot of Lord Jagannath, ‘Nandighosh’, began its journey at 4:15 pm, as per the ritualistic timeline.
Prior to the commencement, Puri’s titular king ‘Gajapati Maharaj’ Divya Singha Deb performed the sacred ‘chherapahanra’ ritual. This ritual involved sweeping the three chariots with a golden broom while sprinkling them with sanctified water, marking the ceremonial start of the procession.
The ‘Bahuda Yatra’ signifies the return journey of the deities from Gundicha Temple, believed to be their birthplace, back to the Jagannath Temple. The deities had embarked on this journey on July 7 during the Rath Yatra and spent a week at Gundicha Temple amidst elaborate rituals and festivities.
Earlier today, amidst a sea of devotees, the Trinity were ceremonially escorted to their respective chariots at Gundicha Temple, a spectacle witnessed by countless pilgrims and onlookers.
To ensure the safety and security of the devotees, a massive deployment of 180 platoons of police personnel, supported by 1,000 officers, was put in place for crowd control and law enforcement throughout the festival. Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar assured that extensive security measures, including CCTV surveillance across the temple town, were implemented to maintain order.
Tonight, the deities will grace the ‘Singha Dwar’ (Lion’s Gate) of the ancient 12th-century shrine, seated majestically atop their chariots, as devotees continue to offer their prayers and reverence.
The upcoming highlight of the festival is the ‘Sunabesha’ ritual, scheduled for July 17, during which the deities will be adorned in resplendent gold jewelry while seated upon their chariots.
