Devotees Flock to Puri for the Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath and His Siblings

 

In Puri, a throng of devotees has gathered to witness and participate in the Bahuda Yatra, the grand return journey of Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra. This significant event marks the conclusion of the nine-day sojourn of the deities, as they make their way back to the Sri Mandir from the Sri Gundicha temple. The return is symbolized by the three separate chariots pulled by the devotees, an act of devotion and reverence.

As the Bahuda Yatra draws a substantial crowd, security measures in Puri have been significantly heightened. Odisha's Additional Director General (ADG) of Police (Law & Order), Sanjay Kumar, reassured the public, stating, "With divine blessings, all our preparations are in place. Our police force, including officers and personnel, are fully stationed. The Mangalarti rituals are underway."

Kumar elaborated on the security arrangements, noting that comprehensive measures such as CCTV surveillance, force deployment, traffic management, and crowd control have been meticulously implemented and rehearsed. "We have deployed 180 platoon forces and conducted thorough checks to ensure everything is in order. Armed police units are on the ground, along with three companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)," he added.

According to sources, the Bahuda Pahandi ritual, marking the start of the deities' return, is scheduled for post-noon, followed by the Besasesha ritual between 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm. The Cherapahara ceremony will take place from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, leading up to the chariot pulling around 4 pm. This schedule has necessitated the stringent security measures in Puri.

Notably, the term 'Bahuda' translates to 'return' in Odia, and the Bahuda Yatra is celebrated on the auspicious occasion of Devshayani Ekadashi, underscoring the spiritual and cultural significance of this event.