Puri, July 24: The sacred Janma Bedi Leela of Lord Jagannath concluded on Thursday, paving the way for the much-awaited Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of the deities from the Gundicha Temple to the Jagannath Temple. The three chariots are now stationed on the Grand Road, awaiting the ceremonial procession of the deities.

Ahead of the Bahuda Yatra, temple servitors, including the Vishwakarma carpenters, tailors, Kotha Suansia, and other traditional service groups, completed the preparation of the three chariots. Scheduled for Friday, the Bahuda Yatra marks the third major event of the world-famous Rath Yatra festival. While the outward journey is traditionally undertaken in the northward direction, the return journey is performed facing south, in accordance with scriptural traditions.

Lord Jagannath, accompanied by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, Sudarshan, as well as the representative deities Shri Madanamohan and Ramakrishna, will return to the Srimandir. According to Hindu belief, devotees who witness this rare divine procession are said to receive the spiritual merit equivalent to performing an Ashwamedha Yajna and attain the blessings of Vaikuntha.

Preparations for the festival began on the night of Navami. As per the official schedule, the Pahandi procession of the deities to the chariots will take place between 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm, followed by the Chhera Pahanra ritual, to be performed by the Gajapati Maharaja, between 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm. The ceremonial pulling of the chariots is scheduled to commence at 4:00 pm.

The day's rituals began with Mangala Alati at 4:00 am, followed by Mailam, Tadapalagi, Rosha Homa, and Abakasha. Surya Puja, Dwarapala Puja, and the adornment of the deities will follow, while Khichdi offered during the Gopala Ballava and Sakala Dhupa rituals by 6:45 am.

From 7:00 am to 11:30 am, the Daitapati servitors will perform the Sena Pata Lagi ritual. At 11:45 am, Mangal Arpana will be offered by the temple priests and designated servitors before the Bahuda Pahandi begins. Upon reaching the Jagamohan entrance, the deities will be adorned with the traditional Tahia, presented by the Raghav Das Math.

Following the completion of the rituals, the Vishwakarma and Bhoi servitors will secure the chariots for the procession under the supervision of the chariot management team. During the journey, the deities will receive the traditional offering of Poda Pitha at the Mausi Maa Temple.

While the Taladhwaja and Darpadalana chariots will proceed directly to the Singhadwara of the Jagannath Temple, Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha chariot will halt in front of the royal palace for the ceremonial Lakshmi-Narayan Bheta. Goddess Lakshmi will be ceremonially adorned, carried in a palanquin to the chariot, and reunited with Lord Jagannath before receiving the Lord's Ajnamala and returning to the temple.

The Nandighosha chariot will thereafter resume its journey and conclude the Bahuda Yatra upon reaching the Singhadwara, marking another significant chapter in the annual Rath Yatra celebrations.