Key Highlights
- Bahuda Yatra marks the return of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from Gundicha Temple to Jagannath Temple.
- In 2025, the event is scheduled for Saturday, 5 July, drawing millions of devotees.
- The day features the Pahandi Bije ceremony, chariot procession, Mausi Maa Temple stop, and culminates with Niladri Bije.
- Following the return, the deities are adorned in Suna Besha on the next day.
Detailed Insights
Bahuda Yatra is the “return” phase of the Rath Yatra, occurring after nine days of worship at the Gundicha Temple, which is considered the deity’s aunt’s house. The journey begins at dawn with the Pahandi Bije ritual, where the idols are ceremonially taken out of the temple and mounted on their chariots.
The chariots are then pulled by thousands of devotees, accompanied by singing, chanting, and dancing. A notable pause is made at the Mausi Maa Temple, dedicated to Goddess Ardhasini, where the deities receive Poda Pitha, a special pancake offered as a token of gratitude.
After the return, the deities are celebrated with Suna Besha, a golden adornment ceremony that attracts large crowds. The festival concludes with Niladri Bije, the final entry of the deities into the sanctum of Jagannath Temple, signifying the end of the Rath Yatra.
Key Concepts
- Bahuda Yatra – The return journey of the deities from Gundicha Temple to Jagannath Temple.
- Gundicha Temple – The temporary abode of the deities during the Rath Yatra, symbolizing the aunt’s house.
- Pahandi Bije – The morning ceremony that initiates the return procession.
- Suna Besha – The golden ornamentation of the deities on the day after the return.
- Niladri Bije – The final ritual where the deities re-enter the sanctum, ending the festival.