Odisha: Lord Jagannath, siblings placed on chariots for Bahuda Yatra

Puri: Idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra were placed on Monday on their respective chariots in Puri for the Bahuda Rath Yatra (Return Car Festival) from Gundicha Temple to Jagannath Temple in Puri, which marks the end of the sojourn of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra.
With chants of 'Hari Bol' and 'Jay Jagannath', the three holy deities were brought by their servitors from the Gundicha temple and placed on the chariots to mark their ceremonial return procession to Jagannath Temple.
On the occasion of the Bahuda Yatra, BJP MP Sambit Patra offered prayers at the Lord Jagannath temple in Puri.
"Today is a proud moment for people of Odisha, India and all those who believe in Sanatan Dharma. Today is the day of Bahuda Yatra, which signifies that Lord Jagannath who had come to her aunt's place, Gundicha Mandir is going back to his place at Shri Mandir. He will be on his way again," Patra said speaking to ANI on Monday.
The Puri MP said, "You can see the wave of devotees. All expect to have darshan of the three brother-sister especially Lord Jagannath. We have prayed to Lord Jagannath to bless our state and country..."
Early this morning, rituals commenced for the Bahuda Rath Yatra (Return Car Festival).
The deities return to Sri Mandir from Sri Gundicha temple in three different chariots pulled by devotees.
A large number of devotees gathered in Puri to witness and take part in the ceremonial procession.
Meanwhile, security was heightened in Puri ahead of the festivities.
"Security arrangements have also been made for Bahuda Yatra... Today after 9 days, Lord Jagannath and Goddess Subhadra will return to their main temple. Adequate security arrangements have been made. Crowd control, dragging of chariot...in addition to that traffic and parking arrangements have been made...we have two integrated control rooms...," Puri Supreintendent of Police Pinak Mishra said.