Lord Jagannath's Bahuda Yatra Begins as Lakhs Gather in Puri
Devotees pull the deities' chariots back to the Jagannath Temple amid tight security and elaborate arrangements.
Puri: Amid chants of “Jai Jagannath” echoing through the Grand Road and an ocean of devotees filling the holy town, the sacred Bahuda Yatra—the homeward journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra from the Gundicha Temple to the Srimandir—commenced in Puri on Thursday with deep spiritual fervour and elaborate security arrangements.
The Bahuda Yatra marks the concluding phase of the world-famous Rath Yatra, symbolising the return of the sibling deities to their eternal abode after their nine-day annual sojourn to the Gundicha Temple. For millions of devotees, the divine procession is not merely a religious event but an expression of unwavering faith, devotion and the timeless bond between the Lord and His devotees.
Lakhs of pilgrims from across Odisha and different parts of the country have thronged the pilgrim city to witness the auspicious journey and seek the blessings of the Holy Trinity. As the majestic chariots roll along the Bada Danda (Grand Road), the atmosphere is filled with devotional hymns, the resonating beats of cymbals and drums, and heartfelt prayers from devotees eager to catch a glimpse of their beloved Lord.
To ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the festival, the Odisha government has put in place extensive security, traffic and crowd management arrangements. Security personnel have been deployed at strategic locations, with special emphasis on regulating pilgrim movement, preventing overcrowding and ensuring the safe passage of the three chariots.
Authorities have also implemented a comprehensive traffic management plan, establishing 31 designated parking zones in and around Puri. The facilities can accommodate nearly 7,330 light motor vehicles and more than 18,000 two-wheelers, while special traffic diversions have been introduced to manage the heavy influx of pilgrims. Dedicated arrangements have also been made for vehicles entering Puri from the Bhubaneswar side to minimise congestion.
Weather, however, remains a concern. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across several parts of Odisha till July 28 under the influence of an active southwest monsoon and a trough line. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the weather situation and have made contingency arrangements to ensure that the rituals and the movement of devotees remain unaffected.
Earlier, Odisha law minister Prithviraj Harichandan dismissed allegations of mismanagement during the Rath Yatra and expressed confidence in the administration's preparations for the Bahuda Yatra. He said the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure disciplined darshan, effective crowd management and the safe return of the deities to the Srimandir.
As the towering chariots begin their sacred journey back to the 12th-century shrine, devotees believe they are witnessing not just a grand religious procession, but a divine homecoming that renews faith, spreads hope and reaffirms the enduring spiritual heritage of Lord Jagannath's sacred land.
Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities began their Bahuda Yatra on Friday amid tight security, with lakhs of devotees thronging Puri to take part in the festivities. The Bahuda Yatra marks the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra to the 12th-century Jagannath Temple after their week-long stay at the Gundicha Temple, about 2.6 km away.
