Bahuda Yatra 2020: Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra peaks today
Puri, Odisha:
Lord Jagannath and his brothers and sisters, the goddess Shubhadra and Lord Balabhadra, returned today from their aunt’s place at Gundicha temple to Jagannath temple. This trip is known as Bahuda Yatra. Nine days after Rath Yatra, the Bahuda Yatra or the return trip takes place.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra which started on June 23, today culminated in Devshayani Ekadashi, a holy day in the month of Ashadha in the HIndu calendar.
According to authorities, 500 people tested negative for COVID-19 pulled the tank today. Preparations had started early in the morning and yatra started in the afternoon. As previously ordered by the Supreme Court, given the pandemic, the festivities have been greatly reduced. No devotee was authorized today to draw the rath.
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik greeted people on the occasion of Bahuda Yatra. He tweeted beautiful photos of the tanks of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Shubhadra.
Resplendent floats at #Badadanda for #BahudaJatra of the Holy Trinity. #JaiJagannathpic.twitter.com/EMOv8c9EDF
– Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 1, 2020
BJP executive Baijay Panda also welcomed people today. “Greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Bahuda Jatra, the return journey of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and her sister deities from the Gundicha Temple … Congratulations to the devotees for exercising restraint and maintaining exemplary historical discipline, “wrote the BJP leader on Twitter.
Greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of #BahudaJatra , the return journey of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and his brother deities from Gundicha Temple after #RathaJatra
Congratulations to the enthusiasts for showing restraint and maintaining an exemplary historical discipline#BahudaYatrapic.twitter.com/3YSRnzoTSv– Baijay Jay Panda (@PandaJay) July 1, 2020
Lord Balabhadra’s rath where chariot was the first to leave, followed by Sister Shubhadra. Lord Jagannath’s chariot, the Nandighosha, followed last.
The titular king of Puri, Maharaj Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb performed the “sweeping” ritual as he always was.
During the return trip to Jagannath Temple, the three chariots stopped for a while at the Mausima Temple, also known as the Ardhasani Temple. “Poda Pitha‘, a special candy made from coconut, rice and jaggery was offered to the Holy Trinity at the Temple of Mausima.
