PURI : Stage is set for Bahuda Yatra, the return car festival, of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on Monday. All three chariots have been turned south (dakshin moda) and parked at Saradha Bali in front of the Nakachana Dwar (exit gate) of the Gundicha Temple.
As per schedule, on Monday morning, the deities will be escorted out in Goti Pahandi from the sanctum sanctorum of the Gundicha Temple after observance of Mangala Arati at 4 am, followed by Mailum, Tadap Lagi, Rosa Homa, Abakash, and Surya Puja.
The deities will then be offered Gopal Bhog at 5.45 am and dressed up. The Daita servitors will spend over four hours preparing the deities by fixing Chhenapatta, Kusumi, and Bahutakanta (body armours) to withstand the stress of the Pahandi procession, which will be completed by 11.30 am.
Pahandi will begin at noon and finish by 2.30 pm. Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb will perform Chherapahanra from approximately 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Chariot pulling is expected to start at 4 pm, beginning with the Taladhwaja of Balabhadra, followed by Darpadalan of Devi Subhadra, and then Nandighosha of Lord Jagannath.
Temple chief administrator Arabinda Padhee emphasised on the timely performance of rituals. Collector Sidharth Shankar Swain, SP Pinak Mishra, and other senior police officers are overseeing the arrangements for Bahuda Yatra.
As per the temple schedule, after BahudaYatra, Sunabesha will take place on July 17, Adharpana on July 18, and Niladri Bije, the return of the deities to the sanctum sanctorum on July 19.
