Puri: The Bahuda Rath Yatra, marking the homecoming of the Holy Trinity from Gundicha Temple to Srimandir, concluded successfully on Monday evening.
The three gigantic chariots of the Holy Trinity, Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra, Debadalana of Devi Subhadra, and Nandighosha of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, were pulled by a sea of devotees on the Bada Danda back to Srimandir, ending the nine-day annual sojourn to Gundicha Temple.
In a ceremonial procession called Dhadi Pahandi, the deities were placed on their respective chariots. Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performed the Chhera Panhara ritual, sweeping the chariot floors with a golden broom.
The chariots were then pulled along Bada Danda amidst chants, conch blowing, and cymbal beating. They paused at Ardhasini Temple, where ‘Poda Pitha’ was offered to the deities, before reaching Singhadwar, the Lions Gate.
After arriving at the Simhadwar of the temple the Trinity will remain on their respective rathas and offer dry mahaprasad.
The Suna Besha ceremony will be observed on July 17, where the deities are adorned with gold ornaments. The Adharpana ritual, offering of a sweetened drink to the deities, will take place on July 18. Finally, the Trinity will enter the main temple to take their places at the Ratna Singhasana during the Niladri Bije on July 19, marking their return to the sanctum sanctorum.
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