Puri (Odisha), July 9: The auspicious Bahuda Jatra (return journey) of Lord Jagannath and His siblings began on Saturday after staying for a week at the sanctum sanctorum Gundicha Temple here during the 11-day long Ratha Jatra.
Amid sounds of gongs, conches and cymbals that reverberated the sky at Saradha Bali, the Pahandi rituals commenced at around 8 am with Lord Sudarshan escorted to Darpadalan chariot.
Later, Bada Thakura Lord Balabhadra was taken to His Taladhwaja chariot in dhdi pahandi through Nakachanadwar of Gundicha Temple.
Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, was brought to Darpadalan chariot in sunya pahandi by servitors, followed by Lord Jagannath.
The Lord of Universe moved towards Nandhighosha chariot in a dhadi pahandi amid sounds of traditional musical instrument gongs played by Ghantua Sevayats.
Bahuda Jatra of Lord Jagannath is held on 9th day of Shukla Paksha in Ashadha month as per Hindu almanac. It also holds equal significance like Ratha Jatra when deities will proceed towards their abode Srimandir after staying seven days at their birthplace Gundicha Temple.
The Pahandi was over by 12 pm. The servitors were engaged in adjusting the idols atop their respective chariots. Chhera pahanra by Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, who is the first servitors of Lord Jagannath, at 12.30 pm.
Riding his traditional Tanzan (decorated palanquin), the King arrived at Saradha Bali and swept around the deities on the chariots with a golden broom.
Thereafter the servitors fixed wooden horses to the chariots, placed charioteers on each chariot, set brakes and tied ropes to the chariots for pulling. The Taladhwaja chariot carrying Lord Balabhadra started rolling on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) towards Srimandir at around 2 pm followed by Darpadalan chariot and Nandighosha chariot.
Lakhs of devotees participated in the chariot pulling. The Rathas will briefly halt at Mausi Maa Temple mid way at Balagandi Chhak where the deities are served the delicious Poda Pitha. Later, the chariots again pulled to Srimandir and kept in front of Singhadwar for other rituals including Suna Besha and Adharapana, which will be conducted on Sunday and Monday respectively before Niladri Bije of deities.
