Puri: Preparations for Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of the sibling deities to Shree Jagannath Temple, would start on Wednesday with the southward turn of the three chariots parked outside Shree Gundicha Temple in Odisha’s Puri.
On the sixth day of the annual sojourn of the Lords, the chariots parked at Saradhabali are turned towards the 12th-century shrine in the south. The chariots are kept near Nakachana Dwara, eastern Gate of Gundicha Temple. This ritual, which takes place a day after Hera Panchami, is known as Dakhina Moda.
Following ‘Sakala Dhupa’ ritual at Gundicha temple, the Angyamala or garland of consent of the Lords will arrive from the Gundicha Temple at around 12.30 pm and will be presented to Palia Puja Panda servitors of each chariot. Accompanied by the sounds of bells, cymbals, kahali, and chhatri, they will proceed to the chariots and offer the Angyamala. After this, Bhoi servitors will attach brakes and ropes to the chariots. Once Bije Kahali is sounded, police personnel, servitors and a few devotees will initiate the Dakhina Moda, when the chariot of Goddess Subhadra, Darpadalan, is first turned towards the south. It is followed by Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja and Jagannath’s Nandighosha.
The chariots are pulled half a mile from the western gate to be positioned at the eastern gate, with Subhadra’s chariot in the centre, Balabhadra’s on the west (left), and Jagannath’s on the east (right). After Dakhina Moda, the chariots are aligned in front of Nakachana Dwara (eastern gate), facing south toward Shree Jagannath Temple. Special dry snacks, called ‘Ratha Bhoga,’ are offered at the ritual’s conclusion. Finally, Maharana (carpenters), Darji (tailors), and Bhoi servitors inspect the chariots, making any necessary repairs.
Devotees in large numbers have been visiting Gundicha temple every day to offer prayers to the deities and consume the Adap abadha (mahaprasad). As per belief, anyone offering prayers to the deities on Adap Mandap (in the sanctum sanctorum of Gundicha temple atop the Ratnasimhasan) gets freed from the cycle of rebirth.
The Lords will return to Srimandir on July 5 and be taken to the sanctum sanctorum with the Niladri Bije ritual on July 8.