Bahuda Rath Yatra concludes in Visakhapatnam

The annual Bahuda Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra concluded in the city on Friday, with hundreds of devotees participating in the return chariot procession organised by the Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj (USS).

The Bahuda Yatra, marking the return of the sibling deities to the Jagannath Temple at Dasapalla Hills after their week-long stay at the Gundicha Ghar near Gadiraju Palace in Lawson’s Bay Colony, was held amid chants of “Jai Jagannath”, Vedic hymns, and devotional songs.

The rituals began with Pahandi Bije, during which the deities were ceremonially brought to the flower-decked chariot. This was preceded by the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual, in which the designated Gajapati, USS president J.K. Nayak, ceremonially swept the chariot platform.

Devotees, including a large number of women and children, pulled the decorated chariot along a route passing through Shanti Ashram, VUDA Park, Railway Guest House, Andhra University Gate, HP Petrol Bunk, VMRDA Park, and Children’s Arena before it reached the temple.

Devotional songs and sankirtans accompanied the procession. The Government of Odisha facilitated the participation of cultural troupes, with artistes from the Koshal Folk Academy, Balangir, presenting folk performances during the event.

Volunteers of the Marwadi Yuva Manch distributed drinking water to devotees, while members of the Gurudwara Saad Sangat served refreshments along the route.

After the chariot reached the temple, the customary ritual of Lord Jagannath offering sweets to Goddess Lakshmi before re-entering the sanctum sanctorum was performed. Bhajans were held on the temple premises, and around 3,000 devotees partook of the mahaprasad.

USS General Secretary Satyabrata Dwibedy thanked devotees, volunteers, and members of the organisation for their support in conducting the annual festival.