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Preparations for the 'Bahuda Yatra', the return car festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, have commenced in Puri, a day after the completion of the 'Hera Panchami' rituals. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), in coordination with the Puri district administration and police, on Wednesday began the process of rotating the chariots to face southwards for the grand return journey scheduled for July 5.
The three majestic chariots – Taladwaj (Lord Balabhadra), Darpadalan (Devi Subhadra), and Nandighosh (Lord Jagannath) – are currently parked at 'Saradhabali' in front of Shree Gundicha Temple, which is considered the birthplace of the deities. Police personnel and servitors are actively involved in turning the chariots and positioning them appropriately for the 'Bahuda Yatra', when they will be pulled back to the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple. The 'Agyanmala' (garland of consent) has already been brought from the deities to the chariots, symbolizing their readiness for the journey.
On Wednesday, the 'Sakaladhupa' ritual was performed, followed by the significant 'Dakhina Moda' ceremony where the chariots are turned. The Devadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra will be pulled first, followed by Taladhwaja of Lord Balabhadra, and finally Nandighosh of Lord Jagannath. Meanwhile, devotees continue to have a smooth 'darshan' of the sibling deities at Shree Gundicha Temple for the third consecutive day. The 'Hera Panchami' ritual, observed on Tuesday night, saw Lord Jagannath's consort Maa Laxmi visit the Gundicha Temple in symbolic anger for not being taken on the Rath Yatra, breaking a portion of the Nandighosh chariot before returning to the main temple. Additionally, the three-day 'Rasalila' is set to begin at Shree Gundicha Temple on Wednesday.