The Gundicha Temple in Puri witnessed an overwhelming gathering of over a lakh devotees on Friday for the final evening darshan of Lord Jagannath at the Adapa Mandap, considered one of the most sacred and rare darshans in the Jagannath tradition.
Devotees entered through the Simhadwara to catch a glimpse of Mahaprabhu, undeterred by intermittent drizzle that soaked their bodies but not their spirits. Despite the rain, the enthusiasm of the devotees remained unwavering as they stood in long queues stretching to Badashankha.
The darshan, scheduled to conclude by 6 PM, saw entry restrictions imposed at external barricades by 5:10 PM, leaving many latecomers unable to participate. Those who managed to secure a spot expressed profound joy, considering themselves blessed to witness the divine spectacle.
According to ancient scriptures, a single darshan at the Adapa Mandap is equivalent to ten years of darshan at the Ratna Simhasana in the main Shree Mandira, making this event a significant spiritual milestone. Preparations for the Bahuda Yatra and crowd management led to the smooth completion of rituals like Rituals and Pahuda. The temple doors opened at 4:30 AM for the Dwaraphita ritual, followed by other ceremonies, culminating in the night Pahuda at 8:10 PM.
To meet the devotees’ needs, three Bhogamandaps were set up, and Mahaprasad was distributed through the Nakachana gate late into the night. The Ananda Bazaar at Gundicha Temple also saw a massive rush as devotees thronged to procure Adapa Abhada, marking the final day of its availability.
The police made elaborate arrangements, deploying additional barricades and forces to ensure orderly darshan and manage traffic. The same level of security as seen during the Rath Yatra will be maintained for the Bahuda Yatra, officials confirmed.
Devotees, many of whom travelled from far-off places, expressed gratitude for the rare opportunity, with some offering Adapa Abhada to Brahmins, believed to bestow immense spiritual merit.
