Majestic Bahuda Yatra: A Spectacle of Devotion and Tradition
- On July 5, 2025, the Bahuda Yatra took place in Puri as Lord Jagannath and siblings returned from Gundicha Temple to the 12th-century Shree Mandir amid lakhs of devotees.
- Following a fatal crowd crush that occurred close to Gundicha Temple on June 29, resulting in three deaths and about 50 injuries, unprecedented security protocols were implemented for the Yatra.
- The festival featured rituals like Pahandi Bije, ceremonial chariot pulling by devotees, Odissi and Mahari dance performances including by Shraddha Bali and Rani Priyadarsini, and cultural support from organizations like Gayatri Kala Sangathan.
- Security forces deployed over 25,000 personnel with AI-enabled cameras, drones, and special traffic arrangements while volunteers and the Gurudwara Sad Sangat provided services to assist devotees along the route.
- The Bahuda Yatra proceeded smoothly under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's oversight, completing all rituals ahead of schedule, reflecting Odisha's cultural devotion despite challenges from earlier incidents.
17 Articles
17 Articles

Lord Jagannath's 'Bahuda' Yatra: Chariot pulling begins
Puri: Lord Jagannath’s ‘Bahuda’ Yatra or return car festival formally began here on Saturday with thousands of devotees pulling the chariot of Lord Balabhadra’s ‘Taladwaj’ after ceremonial ‘Pahandi’ and Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb performing ‘Chhera Pahanra’ (sweeping) rituals. Though the pulling of chariots was slated to start at 4 pm, it began at about 2.45 pm much ahead of the schedule amid chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’, ‘Haribol’ and beati…
Majestic Bahuda Yatra: A Spectacle of Devotion and Tradition
Majestic Bahuda Yatra: A Spectacle of Devotion and Tradition The Bahuda Yatra, the magnificent return car festival of Lord Jagannath, commenced on Saturday as the deities took their places on their respective chariots, parked before Shree Gundicha Temple. The elaborate ceremonies, including the 'Pahandi' ritual, saw Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra being carried with grandeur.Security was a top priority this year after the trag…
By Our Correspondent KORAPUT: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today joined the Bahuda Yatra in Koraput, ‘Shaabar Srikshetra’, and pulled the chariot with the devotees. Shri Pradhan said that it is my good fortune to join the Bahuda Yatra in Koraput, ‘Shaabar Srikshetra’. Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra are unique festivals of Odia culture. Bahuda Yatra is a symbol of the unique tradition of returning from the Janmabedi to the Ratnavedi …
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