Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra 2020: Pahandi Of Holy Trinity Begins

By Subrat Kumar Sarangi
PURI (ODISHA): Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra have made their way back to Sri Jagannath Temple after nine days of stay at Gundicha Temple.

Deities returned to the temple with their individual chariots in a ceremonial way on Wednesday in cultural city Puri in eastern state Odisha.

For the first time, this Yatra took place without the congregation of devotees as it happened with Rath Yatra too. The district administration had clamped lockdown in Puri up to July 2 following Supreme Court guidelines concerning measures to check the COVID-19 outbreak.

Named as Nandighosha (Lord Jagannath), Taladhwaja (Lord Balabhadr), Darpadalana (Devi Subhadra), these majestic chariots were pulled by servitors and police personnel whose COVID-19 test reports came negative and were allowed to participate in the Bahuda Yatra.

The Bahuda Yatra includes plenty of rituals.

On the day of the return journey, the Mangal Aarti took place as early as 4 AM followed by the Maellam. After this ritual, the Tadap Lagi and Rosa Homa are performed. The return trip called Ulta or Bahuda Rath Yatra. This ritual is also referred to as the Dakshina Moda Yatra as the chariots start moving towards the Southern direction.

The Temple Administration had made all necessary arrangements for the ceremony. The sweeping ritual ‘Cherapahara’ was performed by Puri Maharaj Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb in scheduled time following which the pulling of chariots began much before the scheduled time at 11.25 AM.

The servitors and police personnel pulled Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra following which the chariots of Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were pulled one after another.
Suna Besha is a custom that is held on the Ekadashi Tithi.

The deities, who were still on their chariot got decorated with gold ornaments. Then, on the Dwadashi Tithi, the Gods and the Goddess are offered a special drink made of cheese, milk, sugar, and other ingredients. This is called Adhara Pana.

On Trayodhashi Tithi, the deities enter the Puri temple from their respective chariots. This ritual is called the Niladri Bije. Subsequently, the Lord gives Darshan to the devotees from the Garbha Griha and the famous Rath Yatra comes to an end.

Around 70 platoons of police personnel were deployed in Puri for smooth conduct of the event as said by Soumendra Priyadarshi, ADGP, Law & Order, Odisha.