The stage is set for the Bahuda Yatra as the Holy Trinity—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra—will return from the Gundicha Temple to the Ratna Singhasan of the Shree Jagannath Temple on Bahuda Dashami on Thursday.

Thousands of devotees thronged the Gundicha Temple on Wednesday for the final Adapa Mandap Darshan, also known as the Nabami Sandhya Darshan. The district administration has allowed public darshan from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm, while elaborate security and crowd management arrangements have been put in place to handle the heavy influx of pilgrims.

Darshan Begins at 5 AM

The temple doors opened at 5:00 am after the previous night’s rituals concluded late, with the deities retiring for the night around 1:30 am due to delays in rituals.

According to the ritual schedule, Mangala Alati was performed at 5:30 am, followed by Abakash at 6:40 am. The Gopal Ballav and Sakala Dhupa rituals were completed by 10:00 am, after which devotees continued to have darshan throughout the day.

Police Advise Devotees to Follow Traffic Guidelines

Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh said the darshan arrangements are proceeding smoothly under strict security.

He said devotees will be allowed to have darshan till 6:00 pm and that extensive security arrangements have been made both inside and outside the Gundicha Temple. The city remains on high alert ahead of Thursday’s Bahuda Yatra. He also appealed to devotees visiting Puri for Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha to strictly follow the traffic advisory issued by the administration.

Significance of Adapa Mandap Darshan

The Adapa Mandap Darshan holds immense religious significance in Jagannath tradition. It is believed that offering prayers to the deities at the Adapa Mandap of the Gundicha Temple for a single day bestows the same spiritual merit as worshipping them at the Shree Jagannath Temple throughout the year.

With Wednesday being the final opportunity for Adapa Darshan before the return journey, the Gundicha Temple witnessed an unprecedented rush of devotees.

Bahuda Yatra Ritual Schedule

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has also released the ritual schedule for Bahuda Yatra:

The return car festival is expected to draw lakhs of devotees to Puri as the deities begin their journey back to the Shree Jagannath Temple amid elaborate rituals, heightened security and extensive traffic arrangements.

Early Morning Rituals Mark the Beginning of the Grand Festival

The world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri begins with a series of sacred rituals performed before sunrise inside the Jagannath Temple. The day starts with Mangala Alati, followed by Abakash (morning purification rituals) and the daily adornment of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.

The rituals continue with Rosha Homa, Surya Puja, and Dwarapala Puja. Water is ceremonially sprinkled inside the sanctum, while temple servitors carry out traditional rituals associated with the deities. The Sakala Dhupa offering is then made with Khechudi, Pitha, Takua, and other sacred food preparations, which are offered through the traditional Shodasha Upachara rituals.

Continuous Worship During the Deities’ Journey

From the moment the deities leave the Ratna Singhasana (jeweled throne) until they return after the nine-day festival, temple worship continues without interruption.

Senior temple servitors perform Mangalarpana before the deities. Ritual offerings are arranged in brass vessels, while floral offerings and sacred cotton threads are prepared for the ceremonial adornment of the Lords. Nine special Tuli (sacred cotton wicks), traditionally supplied by Raghav Das Math, are used during the rituals.

Meanwhile, the Daitapati servitors untie the ceremonial bindings of the deities, marking the beginning of their journey outside the sanctum.

Temple Cleared Before the Pahandi Procession

Before the commencement of the Pahandi Bije, the Natamandap and Jagamohan are cleared and purified. Entry is restricted to only authorized temple servitors, officials on duty, and temple police personnel. No dignitaries or unauthorized persons are permitted inside the temple premises during this crucial phase of the rituals.

Pahandi Procession Begins with Sudarshan

The sacred Pahandi Bije begins with the ceremonial procession of Lord Sudarshan. Once Sudarshan reaches the Baishi Pahacha (22 steps), the procession of Lord Balabhadra begins, followed by Goddess Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath.

As each deity reaches the Baishi Pahacha, they are adorned with the beautifully crafted Tahia, a traditional floral headgear presented by Raghav Das Math.

Music, Devotion and Chants Fill the Grand Procession

The Pahandi procession is accompanied by the sounds of Ghanta (bells), Kahali (traditional trumpets), and Telengi musical instruments. Temple servitors carry ceremonial umbrellas above the deities while devotees and cultural groups perform Odissi dance in front of the divine procession.

The air resonates with chants of “Hari Bol”, “Jai Jagannath”, and the traditional Hulhuli sounds, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled spiritual fervour.

Devotees Witness the Sacred Journey to the Chariots

Thousands of devotees witness the Pahandi from within the temple premises through specially designated barricaded areas. Entry for this special viewing is permitted through authorized tickets.

The Holy Trinity finally proceeds through Ananda Bazaar and the Baishi Pahacha before ascending their respective chariots, marking one of the most awaited and spiritually significant moments of the annual Rath Yatra.

The stage is set for the world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath as the three majestic chariots are being brought from the Rath Khala to the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Shree Jagannath Temple on the eve of the annual festival. Following the ceremonial Agyanmala Bije, the chariots will take their final position before the grand procession begins on Thursday.

The arrival of the chariots at the temple entrance marks the beginning of the final phase of preparations for the sacred Gundicha Yatra, one of the largest religious festivals in the world. Devotees from across India and abroad have already gathered along the Bada Danda (Grand Road), eagerly awaiting the annual journey of the sibling deities.

The Grand Road has been cleaned and decorated, while chants of “Jai Jagannath” and “Haribol” echo throughout the holy town of Puri. Thousands of devotees have occupied vantage points along the route, spending the night in anticipation of witnessing Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra emerge from the temple and ascend their magnificent chariots.

As per tradition, the Agyanmala from the deities is first brought to the Rath Khala, symbolising divine approval for the movement of the chariots. After the ritual, Nandighosha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, is brought first to the Singhadwara, followed by Darpadalana (Debadalana), the chariot of Goddess Subhadra, and Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has confirmed that all ritual schedules for Rath Yatra have been finalised with the approval of the Chhatisa Nijog, the Niti Sub-Committee, and the Temple Managing Committee. Authorities have also completed elaborate security, crowd management and logistical arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.

According to the approved ritual schedule, Mangala Alati will be held at 6:00 am, Ratha Pratistha at 9:00 am, and the sacred Pahandi Bije will begin at 9:30 am. The Chhera Pahanra ritual, during which the Gajapati Maharaja ceremonially sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, will take place between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

The ceremonial fixing of the Charamala, along with the installation of the horses and charioteers, is scheduled between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. The much-awaited pulling of the three chariots will commence at 4:00 pm, marking the beginning of the nine-day journey of the deities to the Gundicha Temple.

With the chariots now ready, the ritual schedule finalised and the holy city immersed in devotional fervour, Puri awaits the commencement of the grand Rath Yatra, an event that draws millions of devotees and visitors from around the world.

The ritual schedule (Niti Nirghanta) for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath has been finalised after receiving approval from the Chhatisa Nijog, the Niti Sub-Committee, and the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee. The schedule outlines the timing of all major rituals to be observed on the day of the world-famous Gundicha Yatra.

According to the approved schedule, Mangala Alati will be completed by 6:00 am on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya, the day of Rath Yatra. This will be followed by Mailam and Tadapalagi from 6:10 am to 6:30 am, Rosha Homa at 6:30 am, Abakasha Niti by 7:00 am, Surya Puja by 7:10 am, and Dwarapala Puja by 7:30 am. The Sakala Dhupa ritual will be performed between 8:00 am and 9:00 am.

The Ratha Pratistha (consecration of the chariots) will be completed by 9:00 am, followed by Mangalarpana at 9:15 am. The sacred Pahandi Bije, during which the deities are ceremonially carried from the sanctum to their respective chariots, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 am and conclude by 12:30 pm. Between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm, the ceremonial procession of Madan Mohan, Rama and Krishna will take place.

The Rajaniti and the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual, in which the Gajapati Maharaja sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, will be performed between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm. From 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the ceremonial fixing of the Charamala, along with the installation of the horses and charioteers, will be completed. The pulling of the three chariots is scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm.

Chaturdha Deities to Proceed in Traditional Dhadi Pahandi

The four sacred deities will be taken from the Ratna Bedi of the Shree Jagannath Temple to their chariots on the Grand Road (Bada Danda) through the traditional Dhadi Pahandi procession.

The procession will begin with Lord Sudarshan, who will be carried to Debadalana, the chariot of Goddess Subhadra. He will be followed by Lord Balabhadra, who will be taken to Taladhwaja, his chariot.

Next, Goddess Subhadra will be lovingly carried by the servitors and seated beside Lord Sudarshan on the Debadalana chariot.

Finally, Lord Jagannath will make His grand appearance in the iconic Goti Pahandi, gracefully swaying His ceremonial Tahia as He proceeds to the Nandighosha chariot amid chants of devotees and the beating of traditional instruments.

With the ritual schedule now officially approved, the Shree Jagannath Temple administration and various stakeholders are set to make final preparations for the grand annual festival, which attracts lakhs of devotees from across India and around the world.