The sacred town of Puri came alive with devotion and divine energy as the Pahandi ritual of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra began, marking the start of the Bahuda Yatra — the return journey of the deities to the Shri Jagannath Temple.
As the majestic procession unfolded, the air was filled with the resonant sounds of bhajans, mridanga, and kahnjani, creating a spiritual ambience that touched every devotee’s soul. The rhythmic beats and soulful chants echoed through Grand Road (Bada Danda), as thousands of devotees chanted and danced in joyous reverence.
The deities are returning from the Gundicha Temple, their aunt’s abode, where they spent the past week following the Ratha Yatra. The Pahandi — a ceremonial procession where the deities are gently escorted onto their chariots — is one of the most visually and emotionally moving moments of the entire festival.
Tight security and elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the rituals, with lakhs of devotees thronging the holy city to witness this divine spectacle. The chariot pulling is scheduled to begin later in the day, following the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri.
The Bahuda Yatra not only marks the return of the Lord but also renews the spiritual spirit of millions, making it a day of immense joy, devotion, and cultural pride for Odisha and the Jagannath devotees across the globe.
