Puri: The annual nine-day festival wherein the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra are pulled from and to the Puri Jagannath Temple is called the Rath Yatra.
The Rath Yatra is one of the biggest religious event throughout India held in one of the four major pilgrimages or the Chard Dhams in the country- the Puri Jagannath Temple.
This nine-day journey consists of Lord Jagannath's procession to Gundicha Temple(his birthplace), his stay there and his return to the Jagannath Temple.
The journey commences with Trinity's return to their abode on the tenth day of the Lunar fortnight of Odia month Ashadha, in a procession known as the Bahuda Yatra.
It begins on the night of the ninth day, preparations for which begin much before.
As per traditions, the chariots are pulled from the southern gate of the Gundicha temple known as Nakachanadwar.
Devi Subhadra's chariot is pulled first followed by that of Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath. The Bahuda Yatra is also known among the masses as the Car Returning Festival.
After final rituals at the Gundicha temple, the deities are they are taken towards their chariots by servitors, in a ceremony known as 'Dhadi Pahandi'.
READ:| Goddess Bata Mangala, who showed path to Lord Brahma to Jagannath temple
Upon their arrival in Puri, king Gajapati(king of Puri) sweeps the floors for Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra with a golden broom, following which, the deities are taken to their thrones in a ceremony known as 'Goti Pahandi', thus commencing the Rath Yatra.
However, before the commencement of the Bahuda Yatra or Trinity's return to Jagannath temple, their chariots halt at several places along the way.
Lord Jagannath's chariot known has the Nandighosh, first halts at the cemetery of his Muslim devotee Salabega.
At his second stop, burnt rice puddings (Poda Pitha) prepared by his aunt are offered to the Lord.
The chariots then proceed on the Grand Road connecting Jagannath Puri temple and the Gundicha temple.
Another important ritual which is a part of the Bahuda Yatra is the 'Lakshmi Narayan Bheta' wherein, Lord Jagannath (Narayana) meets his consort Goddess Lakshmi at king Gajapati's Palace.
Lord Jagannath awaits Goddess Lakshmi's arrival at the Shreenahara and proceeds on his journey after the meeting.
As the Bahuda Yatra heads towards its culmination, the chariots are welcomed at Lion's gate or the Singhadwara of Puri temple. Thereafter, the ritual of Goti Pahandi is carried out, thus commencing the Rath Yatra.
A glimpse of the 'Jaga Kalia' (Lord Jagannath) is believed to bring salvation to his devotees. People across the country wait for the annual festival to seek blessings from the trinity.
