Return car festival held in Puri
Puri: Lakhs of devotees on Friday participated in 'Bahuda Yatra' -the return car festival of Lord Jagannath - which was held in the temple town of Puri amidst tight security.
The annual Rath Yatra on July 4 and the return car festival were held two months after Cyclone Fani wreaked large-scale devastation in the temple town and claimed 64 lives.
During 'Bahuda Yatra', the three idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra end their annual nine-day sojourn to Gundicha Temple and return to Sreemandir or Shri Jagannath temple on three majestic wooden chariots.
Special rituals were performed before the idols were taken out of the Gundicha temple and placed on the three colorfully decorated chariots for the return journey, amidst chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Hari Bol'.
The idols were taken to their chariots in an elaborate ritual called 'Pahandi' to the beating of gongs, cymbals, and blowing of conch shells.
Lord Jagannath was seated on his 45-feet high chariot 'Nandighosh', Lord Balabhadra on 44-feet high 'Taladhwaja' and Subhadra in 43-feet high 'Darpadalan'.
Gajapati Maharaja of Puri Dibyasingha Deb performed the 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual, the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots with a golden broom and sprinkled flowers and fragrant water.
The chariots were then pulled by devotees, who flocked from across the country and abroad, on 'Bada Danda' - the grand avenue leading to Shri Jagannath temple - up to Lion's gate in front of the 12th century Jagannath temple, where they would be stationed till July 15.
Shri Jagannath Temple is about three kilometers from Gundicha Temple.
The idols would finally re-enter the 12th-century shrine and again be placed on the 'Ratna Simhasana', the bejeweled throne, following a ceremony called 'Neeladribije'.
Ahead of 'Neeladribije', the idols would be decorated with 'suna besha' or golden attire on Saturday on their chariots.
Police personnel and para-military forces were deployed in the pilgrim town to ensure smooth celebrations of the return car festival, a senior police officer said.
"Elaborate security arrangements were made for smooth conduct of the return car festival," Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Soumendra Priyadarshi.
A large number of CCTVs were also installed on 'Bada Danda', police said.
