Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Bahuda Yatra: Lord Jagannatha's Return Journey
Bahuda Yatra is a special festival where Lord Jagannatha and his siblings return home after visiting their aunt's temple.
People pull their big wooden chariots back to their main temple in Puri, Odisha.
Along the way, they stop at another temple to offer a special cake called Poda Pitha.
When they reach home, the gods are dressed in beautiful gold ornaments and finally enter the temple after a sweet treat with Goddess Lakshmi.
Bahuda Yatra marks the return of Lord Jagannatha and his siblings to the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The event is celebrated with great devotion by devotees who pull the chariots through the streets.
A key ritual involves stopping at the Mausi Maa Temple to offer Poda Pitha, a favorite delicacy of Lord Jagannatha.
After reaching the Jagannath Temple, the deities undergo the Suna Besha ritual, where they are adorned with gold ornaments.
The Niladri Bijay ritual symbolizes Goddess Lakshmi's initial refusal to let Lord Jagannatha enter the temple until he offers her Rasagola.
- Who
- Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and their devotees
- What
- Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of the deities to the Jagannath Temple
- When
- Friday, July 24, 2026
- Where
- Puri, Odisha
- Why
- To mark the homecoming of the deities after their stay at the Gundicha Temple
Devotees' Perspective
Cultural Significance
Emotional Connection
Devotees' Perspective
Devotees feel a deep emotional connection and joy during the Bahuda Yatra as they participate in pulling the chariots and witnessing the deities' return.
Cultural Significance
The cultural significance lies in the rich traditions and rituals that have been preserved and celebrated for centuries.
- Date
- Friday, July 24, 2026
- Location
- Puri, Odisha
- Main Deities
- Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra
- Key Ritual
- Stop at Mausi Maa Temple for Poda Pitha offering
- Pahandi Procession
- 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
- Chariot Pulling
- Starting around 4:00 PM
- Significant Rituals
- Suna Besha, Niladri Bijay
