Bhubaneswar, July 23: Preparations for the bahuda yatra or return car festival have begun today with the southward turn of the three chariots.

On the sixth day of rath yatra, the chariots that were parked on the Saradhabali, the area in front of Gundicha temple, were turned towards the Jagannath temple in the south. The process is known as dakshina moda of the chariots. After the agyaan maala or garland of consent of the Lords from the Gundicha temple arrived, Darpadalan, the chariot of Goddess Subhadra was first turned towards the south. It was followed by Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja and Jagannath's Nandighosh.

"Goddess Subhadra is given priority in most of the rituals of rath yatra since there is a belief that without the blessings of the female divinity nothing can be accomplished. Hence, rituals for her chariot were conducted first," said Suryanarayan Rath Sharma, an expert in Jagannath culture.

Following the dakshina moda of the chariots, a special rahas ceremony of the deities was conducted on the adapa mandap inside the temple.

Besides, the aunt of the Lords, known as Mousima, offered baked cake or poda pitha to her nephews and niece today who had been waiting and longing for this special delicacy prepared by their beloved aunt.

Policemen formed cordons around the chariots and did not allow devotees to come near them.

"We have deployed enough forces that are taking care by providing adequate security," said a police official.

On the fifth day, that fell yesterday, Goddess Laxmi, wife of Lord Jagannath had paid a visit to the Gundicha temple to see her husband.

During her return to the Jagannath temple, she broke a portion of the chariot of Lord Jagannath to express her anger for leaving her all alone in the temple. The event is called Hera Panchami.