Wishesh Magazine August-2019 Wishesh Magazine August-2019 | Page 23

Buhuda Yatra Or Return Journey: At the Gundicha temple there three gods stays for nine days, including three days on the journey. On 9th day three Deities shifted from Gundicha temple to their respective Chariot and return journey starts towards Main temple. This journey also takes two days and on 2nd day all chariots could reach the entrance of main temple. After returning from Gundicha Mandir near main entrance all three gods will stay for one night on the chariots and during this time they will wear gold ornaments. Many devotees travel to puri to see god in these golden dress or locally know and Suna Vesa. Tourist from all parts of the world will visit puri during this time. As only Hindus are allowed to visit inside the main temple so this is an opportunity for all other religion and some other cast devotees to have Darshan ( holy view ) of the three gods, Jagannatha , Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. How is the Festival Celebrated? The festival begins with the idols of Lord Jagannath, along with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, being taken out of their abode in the Jagannath Temple. The three of them travel to Gundicha Temple, a few kilometers away. They remain there for seven days before returning via Mausi Maa Temple, the abode of Lord Jagannath’s aunt. The idols are transported on towering chariots, which have been made to resemble temples, giving the festival its name of Ratha Yatra. The Chariot Festival. Around one million pilgrims usually flock to this colorful event. What Ritual are performed during the Festival: Every year, three huge new chariots are made for the idols to be transported on during the festival. It’s a very detailed process that takes place in public, at the front of the royal palace AUGUST 2019 | WWW.WISHESH.NET