Thousands throng Puri to witness Bahuda Yatra

Bhubaneswar: Despite incessant rain, thousands of devotees on Sunday thronged Puri to witness Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to Srimandir.

The deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Lord Sudarshan and Devi Subhadra were first taken out of Gundicha temple in Pahandi amid the beating of gongs, cymbals, blowing of conch shells.

The deities were taken to their respective chariots.

Then, Gajapati Dibyasingh Deb performed ‘Chhera Pahanra’ which was followed by chariot pulling. The devotees pulled the giant wooden chariots of the deities in the afternoon.

Being the elder brother, Lord Balabhadra’s chariot ‘Taladhwaja’ stole the march as per the age-old custom since He pilots and paves the path for His loving sister Devi Subhadra and flamboyant younger brother Lord Jagannath.

Accordingly, Devi Subhadra’s chariot ‘Darapadalana’, also seated by Lord Sudarshan followed the suit.

The darling of the crowd Lord Jagannath’s chariot ‘Nandighosha’ was pulled at last.

On the ninth day of the festival, Bahuda Jatra, the grand return journey takes place.