With Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra seated majestically on the Adapa Mandap inside Shree Gundicha Temple, the sacred Sandhya Darshan (evening darshan) on Navami tithi is set to take place today.
This marks the final public darshan of the deities at their aunt’s abode before the grand return journey — the Bahuda Yatra — tomorrow.
Anticipating an overwhelming turnout of lakhs of devotees, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Police, and servitors have put in place elaborate security and crowd management arrangements. The occasion holds special significance as several secret and important rituals are performed on Navami night in preparation for the deities’ return to the Sri Mandir.
Devotees will be allowed darshan until 6 PM today. After that, the main entrance (Singhadwara) of Gundicha Temple will be closed to the general public. Temple cleansing and pre-Bahuda rituals will begin immediately thereafter.
Speaking to the media, Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee said, “Considering the sanctity and multitude of rituals associated with the Bahuda Yatra, these arrangements have been made. We appeal to all devotees to cooperate with the administration in the spirit of seva (service).”
Daityapati Nijog Secretary Ramakrishna Das Mahapatra added, “All preparations for the Bahuda Yatra are complete. The southern turn of the three chariots has been finalised. After this evening’s darshan, the sequence of rituals for the return journey will commence. Devotees are requested to complete their darshan within the stipulated time.”
Additional Director General of Police Saumendra Priyadarshi assured robust security measures, including long barricades, drinking water points, Mahaprasad distribution, and dedicated crowd control teams. Devotees will enter through the Singhadwara and exit via the Nakachana gate to ensure smooth one-way movement.
The Sandhya Darshan is considered one of the most emotionally charged moments of the Rath Yatra festival, as devotees seek final blessings before the deities begin their return to the Shri Mandir.
