Bahuda Yatra at Puri

After a nine-day-long sojourn at the Gundicha Temple, Bahuda yatra of the Lord Balbhadra, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath tooks off to a colourful start. At first, the deities were escorted out from the sanctum sanctorum of the Gundicha Temple in Pahandi procession to the respective raths parked at the exit gate for the homeward journey.

During the return journey, the chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled to the Lion's Gate whereas the chariot of Jagannath temporarily parks near the Mausima Temple where he is offered Podapitha (baked cake). Then the chariot of Jagannath halts near the palace of the Puri Raja, His first servant. In the meanwhile goddess Lakshmi decked in Patasari and flowers leaves the store in the temple and comes in a Palanquin to the seven stairs.

Then the Palanquin-bearers carry the Palanquin to the Cahani mandap (Pavilion for view) where from a distance she steals glimpses of the safe return of Jagannath's chariot. Being pleased she is carried near the car of Jagannath while sitting in the Palanquin carried aloft on the shoulders of the Viman Badus. She is offered an Ajnamala (Sacred garland) which Jagannath uses as loving souvenier from her consort. Thus touched aglow, she retires to the temple. This event facilitates Jagannath to make arrangement for His victorious entry to the Temple. The car of Jagannath is pulled to the Simhadvara.

Three cars remain parked there for one day more. On the 11th lunar day (Ekadasi), the deities are offered Adharapana (sweet scented drink made of candy, cheese, banana etc.) and are dressed in gold to mark their valedictory victorious expedition. On the 12th lunar day, after the evening rituals, the deities return to the Temple with the victory trumpet leading the procession. Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken to the Simhasana in goti pahandi whereas Jagannath is left behind.

A Devadasi at the command of Lakshmi closes the Lion's gate for a spell just to show Lakshmi's uneasy concern and then ushers Jagannath to the Temple. Jagannath faces another hurdle at the Jaya Vijaya gate, for his entry is now denied by a bevy of Devadasis. After an exciting mock quarrel or repartee between the Daitas and Devadasis Jagannath is somehow ushered to the entrance of the store where he joins Lakshmi and offers her a garland and some sweet ( rasagola). His return to the sanctum is known as NILADRI VIJAY. Thus ends historic car festival of Lord Jagannath.

How to reach there:

By Air:

Access to Puri is quite convenient and hassle free by air and the nearest airport is Biju Patnail Airport located 60 kms from Puri in Bhubaneshwar. The major domestic carriers like Indian, Jet, Sahara, and Deccan operate regular flights from New Delhi, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai.

By Rail:

The railway terminus of the city offers express and super-fast train connections with New Mumbai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata and Baidyanath Dham. Puri also has excellent rail connections with Tirupati, Okha and Ahmedabad. Puri falls under the jurisdiction of S.E. Railway.

By Road:

Road transport is equally commendable and you can reach Puri from the important cities of India. From Bhubaneshwar it is a 60 kms drive on state highway. The main bus stand is located nearby Gundicha Mandir on Grand Road and regular bus services to the nearby destinations such as Konark and Bhubaneshwar are available. The roads are well-maintained and reaching Puri by road is very convenient.