Puri: Amid chanting of ‘Haribol’ and ‘Jay Jagannath’, lakhs of devotees started pulling the Chariot of Lord Balabhadra just before 4 pm.
The trinity along with ‘Chakraraj Sudarshan’ were escorted to their respective chariots from Sri Gundicha Temple in a ceremonial ‘Dhadi Pahandi’ (line procession) in presence of lakhs of devotees, marking the beginning of the Lord’s return journey or Bahuda Jatra to their abode at the 12th century Srimandir.
Though Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had earlier fixed the timing of Pahandi between 12 noon to 2.30 pm, the Lord’s procession began at 10.45 am, more than one hour ahead of the schedule.
As per tradition, the ‘Chhera Pahanra’ (sweeping of the chariots) ritual will be performed by Puri’s titular king Gajapati Maharaja Divya Singha Deb in all three chariots.
Soon after pulling off the chariot of Taladhwaja, a sea of crowd started pulling the chariot of Devi Subhadra. At last, Lord Jagannath, the Lord of this Universe, will start his return journey to Srimandir very shortly.
After completing their nine-day sojourn to Gundicha Temple, their Janma Bedi (birthplace), the deities on their respective chariots move towards Singhadwara in the south direction.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Puri District Administration and Police have made all arrangements for smooth conduct of the Bahuda Jatra.
Odisha Police has deployed 180 platoons (1 platoon comprising 30 personnel) of force and 1,000 officers to maintain law and order and crowd management during the Bahuda yatra.
Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar said adequate security arrangements have been made for the Bahuda yatra. The entire city is under CCTV surveillance.
The Trinity will remain seated on the chariots in front of the Lion’s Gate of the 12th-century shrine on Monday night and the ceremonial ‘Sunabesha’ (gold attire) will be performed on chariots on July 17. Around 10 lakh devotees are expected to witness the Lord’s Sunabesa, an official said
The deities were taken to Shree Gundicha Temple, about 3 km from the main temple on Rath Jatra day on July 7. The deities stayed in the Sri Gundicha Temple, considered as the birthplace of the trinity, for seven days.