The Grand Festival of Shree Gundicha Yatra
By Lokanath Mishra
The Shree Gundicha Yatra is a significant festival in the town of Puri, Odisha, where millions of devotees gather to witness the grand procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The festival begins with the Chhera Panhara ritual, where the Gajapati King sweeps the chariots with a golden broom.
The Chariot Procession
After the Chhera Panhara ritual, the chariots are pulled by the devotees towards the Shree Gundicha Temple, situated about three kilometers away from the Shree Mandira. The chariots are tied with wooden idols of horses, and the Kahalia servitor blows the kahali (trumpet) to signal the start of the procession. The Ratha Dahuk, a jester-like minstrel, sings songs to enthuse the crowd and encourage them to pull the chariots enthusiastically.
Important Rituals and Festivals
During the Shree Gundicha Yatra, several important rituals and festivals are celebrated, including:
- Hera Panchami: Celebrated on the sixth day of the bright moon phase of Ashadha, this festival marks the visit of Goddess Lakshmi to the Gundicha Temple.
- Sandhya Darshan: This ritual is performed on the day before Bahuda Yatra, where devotees get a glimpse of the deities on the Adapa Mandap during the evening hours.
- Bahuda Yatra: The return car festival, also known as Dakshinabhimukhi Yatra, is celebrated on Ashadha Sukla Dasami. The chariots are pulled back to Shreemandira, and special rituals like Senapatalagi, Mangalarpana, and Bandapana are performed.
- Suna Besha: On the Sukla Ekadasi tithe, the deities are adorned with gold ornaments on the chariots in front of the Lions Gate.
- Adhara Pana: A special sweet drink is offered to the deities on the chariots on Ashadha Sukla Dwadashi.
- Niladri Bije: The final phase of the Shree Gundicha Yatra, where the four deities return to the bejeweled platform in a ceremonial procession on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha.
The Shree Gundicha Yatra is considered one of the world’s largest religious festivals, attracting millions of devotees from around the globe. The festival is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Odisha, and it continues to be an important part of the state’s identity.
