The sacred rituals of Rath Yatra 2026 reached another significant milestone on Saturday as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were ceremonially escorted into the Gundicha Temple during the revered Adapa Mandap Bije ritual in Puri.
After spending two days atop their respective chariots following the annual Rath Yatra, the Holy Trinity entered the sanctum of the Gundicha Temple amid traditional rituals, devotional chants and the presence of thousands of devotees.
Traditional rituals precede the Adapa Mandap Bije ceremony
The deities began their annual nine-day journey on July 16, with their chariots reaching the Gundicha Temple after being pulled over two days.
Before the ceremonial procession, temple servitors performed several customary rituals, including Simhasana Majana and Sandhya Dhupa. Wooden charamalas, crafted from coconut tree trunks, were placed to facilitate the movement of the deities from the chariots into the temple.
Representing Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the Mudirasta offered floral tributes and performed traditional rituals such as Dora Lagi and Pushpanjali. The deities were also adorned with their iconic Tahias before the commencement of the sacred procession.
Holy Trinity carried in traditional Goti Pahandi procession
The Adapa Mandap Bije ritual began with the ceremonial transfer of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna from the Taladhwaja chariot, followed by Lord Madanmohan from the Nandighosa chariot.
Thereafter, Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and finally Lord Jagannath were carried one after another in the traditional Goti Pahandi procession to the Adapa Mandap, also known as the Janma Bedi.
Thousands of devotees witnessed the spiritually significant ritual, regarded as one of the most important ceremonies of the annual Rath Yatra.
Adapa Darshan holds immense religious significance
During the deities’ stay at the Gundicha Temple, all daily rituals normally observed at the Shree Jagannath Temple will be performed at the Gundicha Temple.
Devotees will also receive Adapa Abhada, the sacred offering prepared at the Gundicha Temple, similar to the Mahaprasad served at the Srimandir.
According to Hindu belief, darshan of the Holy Trinity at the Adapa Mandap is believed to absolve devotees of sins accumulated over a hundred births, making the ritual one of the most spiritually significant events of the Rath Yatra.
The deities will remain at the Gundicha Temple until the Bahuda Yatra, when they will ceremonially return to the Jagannath Temple on the ninth day of the annual festival.
