Puri, July 3: The Trinity embarked on their return journey - bahuda yatra - to their original abode, the 12th century shrine Shree Jagannath Temple, from the Gundicha temple ending their nine-day sojourn today.
Later this evening, the Lords reached Singha Dwar, or Lion's Gate, of Shree Jagannath Temple, 3km away from the Gundicha shrine, to spend the night outside their abode in their chariots.
Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, reached first at 5pm. The second to reach Singha Dwar was Goddess Subhadra in Her chariot, Darpadalana, at 5.20pm. Lord Jagannath, in His Nandighosh, followed at 7.05pm. Tomorrow is suna besha, which attracts large crowds, too.
Puri superintendent of police Sarthak Sarangi said: " Suna besha attracts a larger number of devotees compared to bahuda yatra. We are expecting about 10 lakh to 12 lakh devotees tomorrow. It is a tough task to handle such a huge crowd on a single day. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the occasion."
Today, more than four lakh devotees turned up to watch the proceedings of bahuda yatra at Puri. Devotees and servitors danced to the beats of gongs and cymbals as the pahandi (carrying of the idols to the chariots) of the deities commenced long before the scheduled time following the morning rituals at the Gundicha shrine where the Trinity were staying for the last eight days.
Ramakant Behera, a 23-year-old computer professional from Balasore, was among those who pulled the chariots. This was his first time.
"In August, I will be in Bangalore. That is why I decided to come to Puri to be a part of the rath yatra. I have seen the rituals on television but this was the first time I pulled the chariot along with other devotees. Truly, it was one of the best moments of my life," Behera said.
Behera reached Puri along with some of his friends today. "We will be here for tomorrow to see the suna besha of the deity when the Trinity will wear gold ornaments weighing about a few quintals," he said.
The crowd chanted "Jai Jagannath" as Gajapati Dibyasingh Deb, the scion of the Puri royal family, arrived for chhera pahara, or the ritual sweeping of the chariot decks.
As pahandi began, a drizzle, too, started. However, the rain stopped once the deities came out from the Gundicha temple and mounted the chariots.
Chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple P.K. Jena said: "With the blessings of God and help of the servitors, everything is going smoothly. We are hopeful that all the rituals such as suna besha and niladri bije will be held smoothly."
On the way home, the Trinity halted at Mausima temple where they were offered poda pitha.
Law minister Pratap Jena, revenue minister Maheswar Mohanty, former minister Sanjay Das Burma and Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan were seen at the Gundicha temple. Police personnel were seen taking selfie with Pradhan.
"I prayed before the Lord for the overall development of the state," Pradhan said.
