Traditionally rooted in the ''Skanda Purana'', this grand Rath yatra has been around for centuries in Puri, Odisha. It marks the deities’ ceremonial journey from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, said to be the home of their aunt covering three kilometers. After their more than a week sojourn there, the three deities Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra and goddess Subhadra. will be brought back to the main temple on the same rathas. Its global appeal and spiritual connotations have made the Rath Yatra a profound articulation of India’s living heritage, devotion, and unity in diversity.
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| Aunt's Home. Gundicha temple, Puri Odisha cityseeker.com/ |
Above image: Gundicha temple of Puri is a popular temple, believed to be the abode of Lord Krishna's aunt. During the annual Rath yatra the three idols from the main temple take rest here for a week. It is a16th century CE temple constructed by Queen Gundicha, the wife of the famous King Indradyumna.........
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| Bahuda Rath Yatra,2025.pragativadi.com |
Bahuda Yatra, marks the seventh day of the nine-day Rath Yatra festival and draws lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad. “Bahuda” means “return,” and this day signifies the deities’ farewell to their aunt’s home, where they have stayed since the start of the festival.
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| Bahuda yatra 2025currentaffairs.adda247.com |
Above image: Puri Jagannath temple, Odisha. Wooden idols of Lords Jagannath, Balabhadra and goddess Subhadra.......
The return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from the Gundicha Temple to the Jagannath Temple in Puri, will be observed on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The morning begins with the Pahandi Bije ritual, in which the idols are ceremoniously carried out of the Gundicha Temple and placed on their grand wooden chariots amid chants, cymbals, and conches.
Once the deities are aboard their chariots, the return procession begins with immense enthusiasm with customary religious fervor. The chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees through the Bada Danda (Grand Road), accompanied by devotional singing and dancing. A significant stop during the journey is the Mausi Maa Temple (temple of the maternal aunt), where the deities are offered Poda Pitha, a special traditional delicacy.
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| Sea of humanityBahuda Rath Yatra,2025 newindianexpress.com |
In view of recent stampede and the resultant death and injuries to many devotees on the yatra to the Gundicha temple, the state government and temple administration are cautious this time. To ensure the safety of pilgrims and prevent stampedes during this massive gathering, extra security arrangements are set in place for Bahuda Yatra 2025. More than 150 platoons of police personnel will be deployed, along with bomb squads, drones, CCTV monitoring, and quick response teams. Crowd control barricades and route diversions will also be in place to maintain smooth movement of chariots and devotees.
The day after Bahuda Yatra, the deities are adorned with golden ornaments in the spectacular Suna Besha ritual. The final stage, Niladri Bije, marks the re-entry of the deities into the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple, bringing the Rath Yatra festivities to a sacred close.
https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/day-7-of-rath-yatra-2025-bahuda-yatra
