Puri: Return journey of Lord Jagannath marks beginning of culmination of Rath Yatra

By  News On Air   Jul 24, 2026

The World-famous Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra was celebrated with immense spiritual fervour in the holy city of Puri in Odisha today. Millions of devotees witnessed the sacred return journey of the sibling deities from the Shree Gundicha Temple to the Shree Jagannath Temple amid elaborate security arrangements.
Following the completion of the customary rituals, the sibling deities commenced their sacred return journey from the Shree Gundicha Temple to the Shree Jagannath Temple amidst the chanting of hymns and the rhythmic beating of traditional percussion. The majestic chariots traversed the Grand Road amid an unprecedented congregation of devotees from across the country and abroad. The festivities will now continue with the Suna Besha, when the sibling deities will be adorned with resplendent gold ornaments while seated on their chariots outside the Shree Jagannath Temple. This will be followed by the Adharapana ritual, during which a sanctified sweet drink is ceremonially offered in large earthen vessels. The annual Rath Yatra will culminate with the Niladri Bije ritual, marking the ceremonial return of the deities into the sanctum sanctorum of the Shree Jagannath Temple, signifying the completion of the grand spiritual festival.