Bahuda Yatra Begins: Lord Jagannath Returns After Nine Days

Lord Jagannath is going to return from his aunt's house today after nine days. After taking nine days of divine rest in his aunt Devi Gundicha's temple with brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, Lord Jagannath will return to his original residence, Srimandir. Bahuda Rath Yatra will be taken out with great pomp in Raipur and Mahasamund district today. All preparations have been completed. Enthusiasm is being seen among the devotees regarding the divine return journey of the Lord.

The divine return journey will start from 3 pm in the capital Raipur. A large number of devotees will join with devotion and gaiety. Many dignitaries including Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant, former Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agarwal, BJP Raipur District President Ramesh Thakur will be present in this journey.

Purandar Mishra, President of Jagannath Seva Samiti, said that “This event is a reflection of the sentiments of the devotees and every year the committee tries to make it more grand. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath ji, this event will be completed with full devotion, arrangements and dedication.

Apart from the capital Raipur, the return yatra will also be taken out in Pithora of Mahasamund district. The enthusiasm of the devotees is visible since morning. There is an atmosphere of bhajan, kirtan and worship in the temple premises since morning. After the chariot reaches the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Sri Jagannath will go into deep sleep. According to religious beliefs, he will remain in Yog Nidra for the next five months. During this period, auspicious and cultural works come to a halt. When the Lord wakes up after five months, auspicious works like Tulsi Vivah and Shaligram Vivah start again.

The word ‘Bahuda’ is from the Odia language, which means ‘return’. On this day, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra ji ride on their grand chariots. From the Gundicha temple, they depart back to their original abode, the Srimandir. This journey is also as grand and enthusiastic as the Rath Yatra, the only difference being the direction, this journey is for the return journey. Lord Balabhadra's chariot 'Taladhwaj', Devi Subhadra's chariot 'Darpadalan' and Lord Jagannath's chariot 'Nandi Ghosh' have already taken the south turn and are now standing near the Nakachana gate of the Gundicha temple, waiting for the return journey to begin.