The sacred town of Puri came alive with spiritual fervour and cultural celebrations on Saturday as devotees gathered in large numbers to witness the Bahuda Yatra, marking the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra to the Jagannath Temple from the Shri Gundicha Temple.
The Bahuda Yatra, which concludes the world-renowned Rath Yatra festival, drew lakhs of devotees onto the streets of Puri. Traditional music, dance performances, and devotional chants filled the air, turning the coastal city into a vibrant canvas of faith and festivity.
Performer Aparna Panda reflected on the occasion, calling it more than a religious event—“This is the biggest platform to showcase Odisha’s culture to the world. Last time, I dressed up as Jagannath and my sister as a devadasi. I feel blessed to celebrate this through art and the internet.”
Devotee Vikas Kumar Mohapatra Swain explained the significance of the return journey, saying, “Bahuda Yatra marks the Lord’s return from his aunt’s house. He is served ‘poda pitha’ before beginning his journey back to the temple.”
Another devotee added, “His blessings are immense. Every year, he steps out of the temple to bless his devotees.”
However, the joyous celebrations were clouded by political controversy following the stampede incident during the Rath Yatra on June 29, which left three dead and several injured. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Lenin Mohanty criticized the state administration, accusing them of negligence and demanding the resignation of State Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.
“A team of five ministers was supposed to oversee the event, but none were present during the crisis. Transferring the collector and DSP is not enough—accountability must be taken at the highest level,” Mohanty said.
The incident has triggered a political storm in Odisha, even as the faithful continue to observe the sacred festival with devotion and resilience.
