Puri, July 2: The deities are set for the return journey (bahuda yatra) from Gundicha temple to their abode at the 12th century Jagannath shrine, about 3km away, on the Grand Road (Bada Danda).
The return journey will take place tomorrow.
More than three lakh people today turned up to see the sandhya darshan of the Lord at Gundicha temple. The temple's gate was closed for the devotees in the late evening as announced earlier by the temple administration. "We have to prepare the deities for tomorrow's bahuda yatra. The preparation, itself, takes a lot of time. These include bada singhar besha, senapati and other rituals. If we don't get sufficient time, it will be tough to make the deities ready. We cannot compromise with the rituals," said Jagannath Swain Mohapatra, chief badagrahi (protector) of Lord Jagannath.
He further said: "There is a belief that if any devotee gets darshan of the deities just one day before the bahuda yatra, he or she will be liberated from the worldly life. Keeping this faith in mind, lakhs of devotees today turned up to have a darshan of the deities at Gundicha."
Shree Jagannath Temple chief administrator P.K. Jena said: "So far, the rath yatra is a peaceful event because of the blessings of the Lord. We are taking all possible measures to make the bahuda yatra a smooth affair as well. All articles required for bahuda have already been deposited in the temple office. We have received an assurance from all sections of the servitors that all rituals will be completed in time. We have made all preparations for its smooth conduct tomorrow."
The administration is expecting nearly five lakh devotees to be a part of bahuda yatra. However, the rainfall forecast tomorrow is likely to create some trouble for them. There is likely to be rain tomorrow.
"If the rain takes places, the drainage and sewerage issues will crop up again, creating problem for the devotees. However, it will not dampen their spirit," said Nigam Patra, a computer professional.
The deities left their temple on June 25 on the rath yatra day and would return to it on the niladri bije day on July 6.
Daitapati Niyog president Ramkrushna Das Mohapatra said: "We will provide all sorts of co-operation to the administration. Because of our effort, for the first time, a number of beshas (attires) of Lord Jagannath was held this time - which had never been witnessed earlier."
Shree Jagannath Temple public relation officer Laxmidhar Pujapanda said: "According to the time table, the pahandi bije of the Lords will take place tomorrow at 11am and the pulling of the chariots will begin at 3pm.
The suna besha (decking the deities with gold ornaments) of the Lord will take place on July 4, the adhara pana will take place on July 5 and the niladri bije on July 6. On the niradri bije day, the deities will be taken from the chariots to the temple."
Police have beefed up security for the bahuda. Around 40 platoons of police, including paramilitary forces, will be deployed for tomorrow's journey.
"We have made all the traffic arrangements. Road maps have already been put in place. Necessary instructions have been issued to police personnel to guild the vehicles coming to Puri to park only in the designated places," said Puri police superintendent Sarthak Sarangi.
