Puri: Heavy rainfall disrupted preparations for Lord Jagannath’s Bahuda Yatra (Return Car Festival) in Puri on Tuesday, forcing the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to suspend the southward turning, or Dakshina Moda, of Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot midway and postpone the remaining ritual until Wednesday.
The Dakshina Moda ritual, one of the key ceremonies preceding the Bahuda Yatra, commenced on the sixth day of the deities’ nine-day annual sojourn at the Gundicha Temple after Agnyamalas (permission garlands) from Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were ceremonially brought to their respective chariots following the afternoon Dhupa ritual.
Despite intermittent showers earlier in the day, Devi Subhadra’s Devadalana chariot successfully completed its southward turn and was positioned at the Nakachana Dwara. However, heavy rain that lashed the pilgrim town in the evening interrupted the turning of Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot, compelling authorities to halt the ritual. Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosa chariot also remained in its north-facing position.
SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee said the Dakshina Moda of both the Taladhwaja and Nandighosa chariots will be completed on Wednesday, after which they will be moved to the Saradhabali Nakachana Dwara as part of the preparations for the Bahuda Yatra.
With heavy rain continuing since evening, the temple administration has made arrangements to keep the Taladhwaja chariot at its present location while strengthening barricading and security around all three chariots. Measures are also being taken to ensure smooth movement of devotees and pilgrims along the Grand Road (Bada Danda).
Dr. Padhee appealed to servitors, devotees and pilgrims to cooperate with the administration as it manages the situation amid the inclement weather.
The preparations for the return journey began after the completion of the Hera Panchami ritual late on Monday night, marking the next phase of the annual Rath Yatra festivities. The remaining Dakshina Moda rituals on Wednesday will pave the way for the Bahuda Yatra on Friday (July 24), when the sibling deities begin their return journey to the Shree Jagannath Temple.
