Lord Jagannath’s Return Journey: Puri Gears Up For Sacred Bahuda Yatra
The three majestic chariots of the Holy Trinity have completed the traditional Dakshina Moda (southward turn) ritual near the Gundicha Temple, symbolising their readiness to embark on the journey back to the Srimandir.
Bhubaneswar: As the sacred sojourn of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra at their aunt’s abode draws to an end, the holy town of Puri is preparing to witness the divine return journey — the Bahuda Yatra — on Friday, marking one of the most spiritually significant moments of the annual Rath Yatra festival.
The three majestic chariots of the Holy Trinity have completed the traditional Dakshina Moda (southward turn) ritual near the Gundicha Temple, symbolising their readiness to embark on the journey back to the Srimandir. With this sacred turn, the chariots now face the path towards the Lion’s Gate (Singhadwara) of the temple, heralding the beginning of the return procession.
The divine presence of the deities at the Janmabedi, believed to be their maternal home, has filled Puri with an atmosphere of devotion and spiritual fervour. As the rituals leading up to Bahuda Yatra progress in accordance with centuries-old traditions, devotees believe that witnessing the return journey of the Lord brings divine blessings and spiritual fulfillment.
The Darpadalana chariot of Devi Subhadra was the first to complete the Dakshina Moda ritual on Tuesday, followed by Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha and Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariots on Wednesday. After completing the ceremonial turn, all three chariots have been positioned near the Nakachana Dwara of the Gundicha Temple, awaiting the arrival of the deities for the commencement of the grand return journey.
Thousands of devotees have already gathered at Saradha Bali, the sacred ground near the Gundicha Temple, to witness the rituals and immerse themselves in the spiritual ambience surrounding the Holy Trinity. For many pilgrims, the sight of the towering chariots, the rhythmic chants of Jai Jagannath, and the collective devotion of millions represent a moment of profound spiritual connection.
The Bahuda Yatra holds a special place in the Jagannath tradition. Unlike an ordinary return journey, it symbolises the Lord’s return to His eternal abode after blessing devotees at the Gundicha Temple. The festival reflects the unique philosophy of Lord Jagannath — where the divine descends from the sanctum to embrace humanity, transcending barriers of caste, creed and social distinctions.
Ahead of the grand procession, the Puri district administration and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) have put in place elaborate arrangements to manage the expected surge of devotees. Comprehensive security measures, traffic regulations, crowd-control mechanisms and facilities for pilgrims have been strengthened to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
The Bahuda Yatra will be held on July 24, with the chariot procession scheduled between 10 am and 6 pm. The return journey is expected to draw lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad, turning Puri into a sea of faith, devotion and celebration.
“For millions of followers of Lord Jagannath, the Bahuda Yatra is not merely a festival of rituals and chariots; it is a timeless spiritual journey — a reminder that the Lord who comes out to meet His devotees ultimately returns to His abode carrying with Him the prayers, hopes and devotion of countless hearts,” says Madhusudan Mishra, an expert on Jagannath cult.
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