Puri, July 22: The sacred stay of Lord Jagannath at the Adapa Mandapa of the Gundicha Temple is nearing its end, with preparations now in full swing for the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey to the Shree Jagannath Temple, scheduled for July 24.

As part of the customary rituals, the Dakshina Moda, or southward turning of the three chariots, has begun. Following the offering of the Agyanmala by the temple priests, Devi Subhadra's Darpadalana chariot was successfully turned south and positioned in front of the Nakachana Gate of the Gundicha Temple.

However, the turning of Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja chariot had to be suspended after heavy rain lashed Puri, leaving large portions of the Saradhabali area waterlogged. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration postponed the ritual due to the adverse weather conditions.

The Dakshina Moda of the Taladhwaja chariot is expected to be completed today, after which Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha chariot will be pulled towards the Saradhabali area as preparations for the return procession continue.

Security arrangements have also been intensified, with all three chariots placed under a strict security cordon and protected by extensive barricading. After the completion of the Dakshina Moda of all three chariots, officials will conduct necessary inspections before the Bahuda Yatra. Meanwhile, continuous rainfall has left the three chariots surrounded by water at Saradhabali. The chariots have been secured with barricades and placed under a strict security arrangement.