By Our Correspondent
PURI/BHUBANESWAR: Trinity — Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, along with Chakraraj Sudarshan, were taken to their respective chariots in a ceremonial procession, called ‘Pahandi Bije’ with ‘Tahia’ (flower crown) on their heads.
As the chariots — Tajadwaja (Balabhadra), Darpadalan (Subhadra and Sudarshan) and Nandighosh (Jagannath) — started their three-km journey from Gundicha temple to the 12th-century Jagannath shrine, devotees danced, cried, fell on the ground, invoking the blessings of the trinity by raising their hands.
‘Bahuda Jatra’ is held on the ninth day of Shukla Paksha in Ashadha month, as per the Hindu almanac.
Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the titular king of Puri, swept the chariots with a gold broom in a ritual known as ‘Chhera Pahanra’.
During the Return Journey, the chariots stopped for a while near the Mausima or Ardhasani temple, the maternal aunt of Lord Jagannath. There, ‘Poda Pitha’, a sweet cake made of coconut, rice jaggery and lentils, was offered to the trinity.
The chariots then rolled towards the main temple. Nadighosh, the chariot of Jagannath, stopped near the King’s Palace where Goddess Lakshmi had a glimpse of the lord.
The Trinity would be mounted on the ‘Ratna Simhasana’, the bejewelled throne, following a ceremony called ‘Neeladribije’ on 12 July.
