The much-awaited Adapa Darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra commenced on Sunday at the Gundicha Temple in Puri, marking one of the most sacred phases of the annual Rath Yatra.
The darshan begins a day after the Holy Trinity was ceremonially escorted into the Janmabedi (Adapa Mandap) through the traditional Adapa Mandap Bije ritual, ending their two-day stay on the Grand Road (Bada Danda).
Devotees can receive Adapa Abadha
Along with Adapa Darshan, devotees visiting the Gundicha Temple will also be able to receive the sacred Adapa Abadha, the Mahaprasad prepared at the temple during the deities’ stay.
The special offering will continue to be available until the commencement of the Bahuda Yatra, when the sibling deities return to the Shree Jagannath Temple.
According to temple traditions, offering prayers to Lord Jagannath and his siblings while they are seated at the Adapa Mandap is believed to bestow immense spiritual blessings upon devotees.
Administration strengthens crowd management
With lakhs of devotees expected to visit Gundicha Temple during the Adapa Darshan period, the district administration has put in place elaborate security, crowd management and traffic arrangements to ensure smooth and orderly darshan.
Officials have appealed to devotees to follow designated queues and cooperate with security personnel for a safe pilgrimage experience.
Goti Pahandi ritual concluded amid devotional fervour
On Saturday evening, the Holy Trinity entered the Janmabedi in a spiritually charged atmosphere through the traditional Goti Pahandi procession.
Following established rituals, the representative deities Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, and Madanmohan were first taken into the Adapa Mandap. They were followed by Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and finally Lord Jagannath.
Adorned with the traditional floral Tahia, Lord Jagannath entered the Gundicha Temple with the customary rhythmic swaying movement that drew loud chants of “Jai Jagannath” from thousands of devotees.
The temple premises echoed with the sounds of conch shells, bells, cymbals, Haribol chants and traditional Hulahuli, creating a deeply devotional atmosphere as pilgrims witnessed one of the most significant rituals of Rath Yatra 2026.
The deities will remain at the Gundicha Temple until the Bahuda Yatra, when they will ceremonially return to the Shree Jagannath Temple.
