New Delhi: The auspicious festival of Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra has started from July 1 this year. The famous chariot festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra. Celebrated in the temple city of Puri in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the major festival attracts thousands of devotees across the world to seek the blessings of the Lord.
After an eight-day stay at the Gundicha Temple in Puri, the three sacred chariots of Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Balabhadra return to their abode at the Puri temple. The return journey of the chariots is also known as Ulta Rath Yatra or Ulto Rath Yatra – and is known as Bahuda.
It is the day when the chariots exit the Garden House or ‘Adapa Mandapa’ at the Gundicha Temple. On their way back home, the chariots stop for a while at the Mausima Temple, where they are offered ‘poda pitha’, a popular Odisha dish – made of rice, jaggery, coconut, lentils.
#JaiJagannatha#Rathjatra2022#BahudaJatra2022 pic.twitter.com/rLsEZSDqFJ— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) 9 July 2022
#JaiJagannatha#BahudaJatra2022#Rathjatra2022 pic.twitter.com/MOFDnLUzmQ— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) 9 July 2022
#JaiJagannatha#Rathjatra2022#BahudaJatra2022 pic.twitter.com/4L1IypJSP3— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) 9 July 2022
#JaiJagannatha#BahudaJatra2022 #Rathjatra2022 pic.twitter.com/5oNpszKHBo— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) 9 July 2022
The next day the Lord prepares for people’s darshan at the temple – and this is known as ‘Sun Besha’.
Noted Indian sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik took to social media and paid a divine tribute to the god by sharing pictures of his creation. He tweeted: Jai Jagannath…
#Happy Bahuda Yatra God bless everyone.
Jai Jagannath…
Happy #bahuda travel Lord bless everyone. pic.twitter.com/23fV2BF0vI— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) 9 July 2022
Keeping in mind the huge crowd this year, wearing of masks has been made mandatory by the administration. Director of Health Services Bijay Mohapatra said, “We are expecting a huge crowd during the festival this year. Masks are mandatory in Puri during the festival. Health camps will be set up at Railway Station, Bus Stand and Grand Road (Bada Danda). ” told PTI.
The official said that there are Kovid care centers with oxygen and ICU beds. He also said that people with symptoms should avoid visiting the city, as precautions should be taken to contain the spread of the virus.
The Rath Yatra commemorates the annual visit of Lord Jagannath to Gundicha Mata Temple. It is believed that to pay respect to Queen Gundicha, wife of the mythical king Indradyumna who built the Puri Jagannath temple, Lord Jagannath leaves his regular abode from the main temple and spends some time with brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. This temple was built by Gundicha in his honor.
According to Drikpanchang.com, it is said that Lord Jagannath along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, after 8 days of rest at Gundicha Mata Temple, set out on their return journey to the main abode. This day is known as Bahuda Yatra or Return Yatra, which is celebrated on the eighth day of Rath Yatra on Dashami Tithi. On his return, the Lord also stops at the Mausi Maa temple which is dedicated to Goddess Ardhashini.
Jai Jagannatha!