By Our Correspondent
PURI/BHUBANESWAR: Thousands of devotees thronged to the Gundicha temple on Saradhabali in Odisha’s pilgrimage city of Puri, 60 km away from State Capital of Bhubaneswar, for the Hera Panchami, This was the day when Goddess Lakshmi broke a part of Nandighosha chariot parked in front of the Gundicha Temple. Hera Panchami is the symbol of conjugal love between Lord Jagannath and His wife Goddess Lakshmi.
The ‘Dakshina Moda’ ritual or the southward turn of the three gigantic chariots of Lord Jagannath and His siblings parked outside Gundicha Temple will be held on Sunday.
As per rituals, the three chariots will be pulled and parked near Nakachana Dwara, the eastern gate of Gundicha Temple after the servitors bring ‘Agnya Mala’ (divine approval) following Sakala Dhupa.
The three chariots will be pulled by the security personnel and sevayats from the Lions gate of the Gundicha temple to the Nakachana gate.
Thousands of devotees throng to witness the Dakshina Moda’ ritual and the three gigantic chariots taking southward turn which marks preparations for the Bahuda Yatra, the period during which the deities return back to their abode.
Meanwhile, Devotees will not be allowed to enter Srigundicha temple in Odisha’s Puri city to pay obeisance to Lord Jagannath and his siblings at Adapa Mandap after 5 pm on June 27.
“The Nabami Sandhya Darshan at Srigundicha temple will be stopped at 5 pm on June 27 to facilitate preparation for deities’ Bahuda Jatra (Return Car Festival), scheduled to be held at June 28,” said Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief Ranjan Kumar Das.
The devotees will be allowed to have darshan of the deities at Adapa Mandap from 7 am to 5pm of June 27, he added.
