Religious fervour marked the Bahuda Rath Yatra – the return of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from Gundicha Ghar to Sri Mandir on Thursday. After annual sojourn at the aunt’s place, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra are taken back in a ceremonial procession on tastefully decorated chariots to the main temple.
Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj and Utkalika Cultural Association respectively organised the return yatra from Shantiashram to Daspalla Hills and in Sector-9 of Ukkunagaram amid chanting of ‘haribol’ and vedic hymns.
The deities were taken into the chariot and the chariot pulling was launched after traditional ‘Chherapanhara’ – the sweeping of the floor with a golden broom to convey the message that there is no difference between the king and the common man.
Punjab Cultural Association-Vizag and Gurdwara Sadh Sangat served rose milk and snacks to the devotees near Park Hotel. Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj president S.C. Chowdary, secretary S.K. Panigrahi and former president J.K. Nayak were present.
The return journey of Lord Jagannath was celebrated at Ukkunagaram with traditional gaiety and fervour. RINL Director (Projects) P.C. Mohapatra performed Chherapanhara. A large number of devotees pulled the chariot along the streets of Ukkunagaram. The Endowments Department, which looks after the Jagannadhaswamy temple in the One Town, will organise the return yatra from Turner’s Choultry to the main temple on July 16.
