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New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bahuda Yatra goes smoothly as divine trinity returns home
PURI : With the government leaving nothing to chance after the gross mismanagement of Rath Yatra, which led to loss of three lives in a stampede, and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi himself taking the reins, the Bahuda Yatra (return journey) of the Holy Trinity was conducted smoothly in Puri on Saturday. Shaken by the series of untoward incidents, the administration meticulously planned the Bahuda event, revamping traffic arrangements and the command and control centre to effectively manage the crowd. The government engaged with the servitors to perform all rituals on time, including the conduct of the pahandi (ceremonial procession of deities). As a result, the pahandi was completed by 12.30 pm, two hours before the scheduled time. The Chhera Pahanra ritual was performed by Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb on the three chariots and completed by 2.40 pm, one hour ahead of schedule. The chariot pulling was scheduled for 4 pm, but the first Taladhwaja rath of Lord Balabhadra rolled out at 3 pm. The sky was thickly overcast, and it was drizzling all through the day. Over half a million devotees converged at Badadanda (Grand Road) and participated in the pulling of the chariots to the Jagannath temple.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
City celebrates Bahuda Yatra with devotion
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: The capital city was soaked in religious fervour on Saturday as thousands of devotees gathered at Mausi Ma temples to celebrate the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. Amid chants, rituals and colourful processions, devotees pulled more than 50 chariots in the city on Bahuda Yatra. From early morning, temples were abuzz with activities as priests rushed to complete rituals on time. People thronged the temples to get a glimpse of the deities on the 'Adapa Mandap'. Following Pahandi and other rituals, shrine premises and streets were filled with people of all ages, as they pulled the chariots back to Jagannath temples. "It was also an emotional moment for us. We felt so blessed to host the sibling deities. From now, we will have to wait for another year when the deities will come to our temple again," said Pitambar Panda, a priest at Mausi Ma temple in Baramunda. Commissionerate police made elaborate arrangements to ensure an inident-free Bahuda Yatra in different localities and deployed 17 platoons of forces. Traffic diversions were in place on different roads, including NH-16, for the pulling of chariots. At the 13th century Patia Jagannath Temple, the Bahuda Yatra was celebrated with devotion. At the Mausi Ma temple at Gajapati Nagar, from where the sibling deities returned to RCM Jagannath Temple, hundreds of devotees from tribal communities took part in chariot pulling. Similarly, the road from Gandamunda to Khandagiri was filled with devotees as they pulled the chariot amid troupes of folk dancers and cultural performers to the Jagannath Temple in Jagamara. Children pulled the beautifully decorated chariot at Bada Danda Sahi. "We tried our best to make the festival a grand success and follow the rituals of the Jagannath Temple in Puri and engage youngsters," said Sushil Praharaj of Badhei Banka Rath Yatra Committee. Thousands of devotees gathered at Shivani Kshetra on KISS campus and sought blessings by pulling the beautifully decorated Nandighosh, Taladhwaja and Darpadalan chariots. Women devotees pulled the chariot of Devi Subhadra. "Bahuda Yatra was celebrated in different localities peacefully," said a senior police officer. Volunteers and medical teams were deployed to manage the crowd and handle any emergency.
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- India Gazette
Ahead of Bahuda Yatra, Sudarsan Pattnaik creates sand sculpture in Puri
Puri (Odisha) [India], July 5 (ANI): Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik paid tribute to the Bahuda Yatra with a striking sand sculpture on Puri beach on July 4, as the coastal town geared up for the return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Jagannath Temple from Shri Gundicha Temple. Preparations for the ceremonial return of the chariots, Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana, are also in full swing, as thousands gathered along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to witness the divine procession. Girijashankar Sarangi, a devotee, shared the significance of the occasion: 'Mahaprabhu was born here at Gundicha Temple... Today, after nine days of celebrations, Mahaprabhu will be heading home. On the way, Mahaprabhu's chariot will stop at the Mausi Maa temple, where he will be offered poda pitha, and it will then be distributed as prasad among devotees. The procession will then proceed to the Shri Jagannath Temple.' Meanwhile, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Khurania expressed confidence in the peaceful conduct of the grand festival amid heightened security deployment. 'There is a lot of enthusiasm among the devotees who have gathered in large numbers. The administration has made an elaborate arrangement. About 205 platoons of police have been deployed, and senior officers are also present to monitor the entire arrangement. The entire town of Puri is under CCTV surveillance, and everything is being monitored from the control room,' Khurania told ANI. Security arrangements have been significantly strengthened outside the Shri Gundicha Temple, also known as the Mausi Maa Temple. Police presence has been enhanced, particularly outside the Shri Gundicha Temple, where nearly 10,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of the massive gathering of devotees. Speaking to ANI, Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra said extensive security measures are in place for the smooth conduct of the return chariot festival. He said, 'More than 10000 police personnel have been deployed... We have around eight companies of the RAF.' 'We have made elaborate police arrangements. Today, we are also expecting huge crowds of devotees who will join in this festival. Ensuring the safety of all devotees is our priority,' he added. Mishra highlighted that the annual festival is celebrated through the coordinated efforts of multiple stakeholders. 'This festival is celebrated with the coordination of many stakeholders. We are closely in touch with all the Sevayats, temple authorities, and the district administration,' he added. The coastal town of Puri is alive with devotion and cultural fervour as preparations peak for the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Jagannath Temple from Shri Gundicha Temple on Saturday. This marks the culmination of the annual Rath Yatra festival, drawing lakhs of devotees to the sacred city. The streets of Puri buzz with vibrant performances as artists and devotees celebrate the occasion. (ANI)
United News of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Odisha Congress demands judicial probe into Puri Rath Yatra "mismanagement"
Bhubaneswar, June 29 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former Odisha minister Prasad Harichandan today demanded a judicial inquiry by the sitting District Judge of Puri to investigate the alleged "chaos and mismanagement" during this year's Rath Yatra in the temple town of Puri. Harichandan said the judicial inquiry should be announced within ten days after Niladri Bije, along with appropriate action against those responsible. He pointed out that for the first time in 53 years, the chariot pulling was synchronised to occur on a single day, combining Nabajoubana Darshan, Netrotsav, and the Gundicha Yatra on June 27. "Rath Yatra has been celebrated for over 1,200 years. On many occasions in the past, the chariot pulling and the arrival of all three chariots at the Gundicha Temple were completed on a single day," Harichandan said. However, he added, this year, the chariots Taladhwaja and Darpadalana failed to reach their destination, while Nandighosha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath, barely moved — only enough to maintain tradition. 'So, the big question is — why was the chariot pulling halted, and for whom?' he asked. Harichandan referred to media reports ahead of the Rath Yatra that claimed industrialist Gautam Adani would visit Puri, pull the chariot, and partake in temple rituals. However, Adani did not arrive in Puri on the day of the Yatra. The Congress leader questioned whether the pulling of the chariots was deliberately postponed to the next day just for him. Reacting to the statement of Sri Jagannath Temple's Chief Administrator, Arabinda Padhi — who had said, 'Perhaps some devotees did not turn up, so Nandighosha didn't move' — Harichandan said the comment was 'shocking and painful.' He alleged that this year, the entire management of Rath Yatra was handed over to the ruling party. Political event managers replaced government officials, scheduled timings were altered arbitrarily, and a two-hour delay occurred between the Pahandi (procession) and Chhera Pahanra (ceremonial sweeping). Referring to last year's incident, Harichandan recalled that Lord Balabhadra's chariot had met with an accident during the Pahandi at the Gundicha Temple while descending the Charamala. No cause was identified, and no action was taken. 'This year, Taladhwaja faced a delay in turning southward, and around 750 people were injured in the crowd crush on Rath Yatra day,' he said. He further alleged that despite objections from the Director General of Police, a private agency named 'IG Drone' was given control of the Closed-Circuit Integrated Command System for the Rath Yatra. Citing a serious security lapse, Harichandan claimed that Priyanka, a female friend of Jyoti Malhotra — who is allegedly linked to ISI — was seen inside the secured cordon zone. 'How did she manage to enter such a high-security area, right in front of the District Collector?' he questioned. The Congress leader also alleged that more than 5,000 entry passes were distributed, leading to widespread allegations of irregularities, discrimination and selective discretion on the part of the Puri District Collector. He pointed out that the Rath Yatra is being conducted in the absence of a formally constituted Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee. Although Gajapati Maharaj has repeatedly raised this concern and even met the Chief Minister over the issue, no concrete action has been taken. 'The Law Minister has now claimed the matter is sub-judice, conveniently shirking responsibility,' he added. Harichandan further alleged there is a complete lack of coordination between the temple administration, the state government, and the servitors (sebayats). UNI DP SSP
New Indian Express
29-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
SJTA to examine Taladhwaja pulling, cordon overcrowding
BHUBANESWAR: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will take up the issue of Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja not maneuvering properly during Rath Yatra with the Maharana and Bhoi sevayats who are in charge of chariot construction. The presence of uncontrollable crowds in the inner cordon of the chariots during 'pahandi' will also be investigated. Temple chief administrator Arabinda Padhee said it was noticed that the Taladhwaja chariot was veering off towards the corners and did not move straight resulting in the delay in pulling it. 'Taladhwaja chariot has 14 wheels and every year, initial problems are seen in pulling of the chariot. We will discuss with Maharana and Bhoi sevayats on the issue,' Padhee said. He added that the chariot moved without any hindrance on Saturday and reached the Shree Gundicha temple. On Friday, pulling of Taladhwaja was delayed for over 1.5 hours as it kept veering towards its left and right due to improper handling of the four ropes of the chariot by both devotees and security personnel. As a result, the chariot could not take a straight direction and due to less distance between Taldhawaja and Devi Subhadra's Darpadalana, the latter's pulling could not start before 6.10 pm. Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha could not go beyond Bagadia Dharamshala near the Lions' Gate.
