Latest news with #Pahandi
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- New Indian Express
42 testify in Gundicha temple stampede case in Puri
PURI: Statements of 42 persons including government employees, police officers on duty, staff of Jagannath temple administration and that of the integrated command control centre were recorded on Wednesday by additional chief secretary Anu Garg who is entrusted with inquiry into the Gundicha temple stampede case. On Tuesday, statements of 40 government employees engaged in Rath Yatra and were on duty in the Gundicha temple area were recorded. The previous day, 48 persons, including social activists, NGO members and two institutions, had deposed before the inquiry officer. Similarly, at Bhubaneswar, 17 persons had recorded their statements. Those who deposed attributed the tragedy to several factors including untimely closure of deity darshan causing devotee gathering to swell near the chariots, inadequate security arrangement, sudden entry of two trucks carrying charmalas (ladder parts) for Pahandi rituals into the crowded area, and non-availability of ambulance and healthcare staff that delayed transportation of injured to hospitals. After completion of the inquiry, the exact cause of the mishap could be ascertained, Garg informed the media.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Sibling deities return to Puri Jagannath Temple with Niladri Bije
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The sibling deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra — made their way back to the sanctum sanctorum of Puri Jagannath Temple during Niladri Bije on Tuesday, concluding the Rath Yatra festival that commenced on June 27. Following the prescribed tradition, temple's Mahajan servitors escorted the idols of Rama and Krishna from the Taladhwaja chariot and Madan Mohan from Nandighosh chariot into the shrine through a ceremonial Pahandi procession. Subsequently, Lord Jagannath's sacred weapon Lord Sudarshan was carried from the Devidalana chariot to the temple. As per order, the Pahandi procession continued as Lord Balabhadra followed by Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were escorted into the shrine from their respective chariots accompanied by musical celebrations and chants by devotees. In a ceremonial display of the age-old tradition, Devi Mahalaxmi prevented Lord Jagannath's entry at the Jaya Vijaya door near the sanctum sanctorum. Her anger stemmed from being left behind at the temple during the sibling deities' journey to Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra. "When Lord Jagannath found himself stranded and unable to enter, he sought forgiveness and presented rasagolas to his divine consort. Upon receiving the gesture, Devi Mahalaxmi relented and permitted his entry into the temple," said Madhab Pujapanda, a servitor. Sandhyanjali Tripathy, a devotee, observed, "The ritual demonstrates the ideal dynamics between spouses. In contemporary times, marital disagreements often lead to unfortunate outcomes. The divine couple's reconciliation serves as an example of mutual respect and understanding." Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said that from Rath Yatra till Niladri Bije, all rituals were performed smoothly.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
City celebrates Bahuda Yatra with devotion
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: The capital city was soaked in religious fervour on Saturday as thousands of devotees gathered at Mausi Ma temples to celebrate the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. Amid chants, rituals and colourful processions, devotees pulled more than 50 chariots in the city on Bahuda Yatra. From early morning, temples were abuzz with activities as priests rushed to complete rituals on time. People thronged the temples to get a glimpse of the deities on the 'Adapa Mandap'. Following Pahandi and other rituals, shrine premises and streets were filled with people of all ages, as they pulled the chariots back to Jagannath temples. "It was also an emotional moment for us. We felt so blessed to host the sibling deities. From now, we will have to wait for another year when the deities will come to our temple again," said Pitambar Panda, a priest at Mausi Ma temple in Baramunda. Commissionerate police made elaborate arrangements to ensure an inident-free Bahuda Yatra in different localities and deployed 17 platoons of forces. Traffic diversions were in place on different roads, including NH-16, for the pulling of chariots. At the 13th century Patia Jagannath Temple, the Bahuda Yatra was celebrated with devotion. At the Mausi Ma temple at Gajapati Nagar, from where the sibling deities returned to RCM Jagannath Temple, hundreds of devotees from tribal communities took part in chariot pulling. Similarly, the road from Gandamunda to Khandagiri was filled with devotees as they pulled the chariot amid troupes of folk dancers and cultural performers to the Jagannath Temple in Jagamara. Children pulled the beautifully decorated chariot at Bada Danda Sahi. "We tried our best to make the festival a grand success and follow the rituals of the Jagannath Temple in Puri and engage youngsters," said Sushil Praharaj of Badhei Banka Rath Yatra Committee. Thousands of devotees gathered at Shivani Kshetra on KISS campus and sought blessings by pulling the beautifully decorated Nandighosh, Taladhwaja and Darpadalan chariots. Women devotees pulled the chariot of Devi Subhadra. "Bahuda Yatra was celebrated in different localities peacefully," said a senior police officer. Volunteers and medical teams were deployed to manage the crowd and handle any emergency.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Sibling deities return amid sea of devotees
1 2 Bhubaneswar: A wave of spiritualism swept Puri as the divine siblings Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra received a ceremonial send-off by lakhs of devotees on the occasion of Bahuda Yatra on Saturday, marking the deities' return journey to Jagannath Temple from their birthplace at Gundicha Temple. The deities, who had embarked on their annual journey to Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra on June 27, will be escorted from their chariots to Jagannath temple during Niladri Bije on July 8. The successful completion of Bahuda came as a huge relief to the govt, particularly after the June 29 stampede in which three devotees lost their lives. "By god's grace and support of everyone, the Bahuda Yatra passed off peacefully and smoothly," said DGP Y B Khurania. According to sources in Puri district headquarters hospital, some devotees received first-aid after they were fell sick due to suffocation in the teeming crowds. Another devotee, Lambodar Prusty (53), was admitted to the hospital with leg injuries that he sustained during pulling of Lord Jagannath's chariot. The Bahuda Yatra focused on implementing lessons learnt from mistakes during Rath Yatra through enhanced crowd management and timely completion of rituals, including 'Pahandi' and chariot pulling. The chariot pulling commenced at 2.50 pm, much ahead of the scheduled 4 pm. The chariots reached near Jagannath Temple in the evening, compared to their two-day Gundicha-bound journey during Rath Yatra. Police prioritised crowd control and chariot pulling procedures, following criticism over difficulties in pulling Lord Jagannath's chariot during Rath Yatra due to crowd management issues. Bahuda celebration mirrored Rath Yatra's vibrance and grandeur, with Puri experiencing massive crowds. Devotees pulled the chariots along the 3-km Grand Road to the tunes of cymbals, gongs, and flutes filling the air. The overcast conditions and light rainfall favoured the large gathering of devotees." "It was an emotional moment while bidding adieu to the deities until next year. We had a smooth darshan on chariots," said Anamika Biswas, a devotee from West Bengal. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted the arrangements that resulted in smooth conduct of Bahuda Yatra. "For the peaceful and orderly darshan, a green corridor was arranged for smooth movement of ambulances on Grand Road. Keeping safety in mind, over 25,000 security personnel have been deployed. Adequate traffic police have been stationed to manage traffic. To make the union between devotees and the Lord memorable and unique, the government made all necessary arrangements. The people's chief minister himself was overseeing it," read a post on X by the chief minister's office.
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Bahuda Yatra: Puri immerses in devotion as deities return to Jagannath Temple amid festive fervour
Puri (Odisha) [India], July 5 (ANI): The coastal town of Puri is immersed in devotion and cultural splendour as the grand 'Bahuda Yatra' unfolds as the ceremonial chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra leave the Shri Gundicha Temple and return to the Shri Jagannath Temple. The festival completes its last act with Bahuda Yatra, the 'return journey,' deeply spiritual and a cultural spectacle with people witnessing the return of Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha chariot, Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja chariot, and Goddess Subhadra's Darpadalan chariot. 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 beating of cymbals. Earlier, the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, were carried to 'Taladwaj', 'Darpadalan' and 'Nandighosh' chariots respectively in a ritual called 'Pahandi'. The pahandi of the trinity began with Chakraraj Sudarshan, followed by Lord Balabhdra, Devi Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath. Though the 'Pahandi' ritual was earlier scheduled to begin at 12 noon, it started at 10 am, much earlier. The ceremonial procession took around two hours following which the deities were seated on the chariots. The return of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to their main temple is seen as a return to cosmic order, where they resume their divine roles and join Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Jagannath's consort. This marks the culmination of the annual Rath Yatra festival, drawing lakhs of devotees to the sacred city. The streets of Puri buzz with vibrant performances as artists and devotees celebrate the occasion. Amid the beating of gongs, and blowing of conches and cymbals, Pahandi rituals were performed by the Sevayats. While Lord Balabhadra was carried to the chariot on a line called 'Dhadi Pahandi', Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath, was brought to her 'Darpadalan' chariot in a special procession called 'Sunya Pahandi' (the Goddess looking at the sky while being carried to the chariot) by servitors. Before the Pahandi, a number of customary rituals like 'Mangla Arati' and 'Mailam' were held before the presiding deities came out from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The 'Chhera Pahanra' ritual or sweeping of the floor of the chariots with a golden broom was performed by Gajapati Maharaja Divyasingha Deb, the titular king of Puri, on all the chariots. The ritual started at 1.35 pm. The Gajapati Maharaja began Chhera Pahanra on Taladwaj chariot of Lord Balabhadra followed by Lord Jagannath's chariot and lastly on Devi Subhadra's chariot. Lakhs of devotees have thronged the pilgrim town of Puri to witness the annual Bahuda Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. Earlier in the day, Advisor to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, former Odisha DGP Prakash Mishra said, 'All the rituals of Mahaprabhu are taking place ahead of their scheduled time. With his blessings, everyone is working with great enthusiasm. We hope that the Yatra will conclude at the right time today...I extend heartfelt greetings and gratitude to our servitors for doing everything on time...' Odisha Minister Mukesh Mahaling also spoke to ANI and said, 'The weather is so good today. Preparatory work is also good. 'Nitikanti' is taking place ahead of the scheduled time. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, Bahuda Yatra will go on smoothly. We pray to Lord Jagannath that this is His Yatra and the coming together of devotees and God should happen smoothly, and that the Yatra takes place well...' Security arrangements were significantly strengthened outside the Shri Gundicha Temple, also known as the Mausi Maa Temple. Police presence was enhanced, particularly outside the Shri Gundicha Temple, where nearly 10,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of the massive gathering of devotees. Speaking to ANI, Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra said extensive security measures are in place for the smooth conduct of the return chariot said, 'More than 10000 police personnel have been deployed... We have around eight companies of the RAF.' Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Khurania on Saturday also expressed confidence in the peaceful conduct of the grand festival amid heightened security deployment. Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik paid tribute to the Bahuda Yatra with a striking sand sculpture on Puri beach on July 4. Girijashankar Sarangi, a devotee, shared the significance of the occasion and said, 'Mahaprabhu was born here at Gundicha Temple... Today, after nine days of celebrations, Mahaprabhu will be heading home. On the way, Mahaprabhu's chariot will stop at the Mausi Maa temple, where he will be offered poda pitha, and it will then be distributed as prasad among devotees. The procession will then proceed to the Shri Jagannath Temple.' (ANI)
