Puri: Amid chants of "Jai Jagannath" and an overwhelming display of devotion, the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra from the Gundicha Temple to the Jagannath Temple, commenced in Puri on Friday.

The Bahuda Yatra marks the homecoming of the sibling deities after their annual stay at the Gundicha Temple, revered as their Janma Bedi (birthplace), during the 11-day Rath Yatra festival that began on July 16.

After the completion of the Pahandi Bije ritual and the ceremonial Chhera Pahanra, performed by Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deba, thousands of devotees enthusiastically pulled the three majestic chariots along the nearly 3-km Grand Road towards the Singhadwar (Lion's Gate) of the Shree Jagannath Temple.

The atmosphere at Sharadhabali reverberated with the sound of conches, cymbals, gongs and devotional chants as lakhs of pilgrims, servitors and security personnel participated in the sacred procession.

The day's rituals began at 4 a.m. with Mangal Alati at the Gundicha Temple. The Pahandi Bije ritual commenced around 12 noon, during which Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra were ceremonially escorted in Dhadi Pahandi to their respective chariots—Nandighosha and Taladhwaja. Goddess Subhadra and Sudarshan were taken to the Darpadalan chariot in the traditional Sunya Pahandi ritual.

Following the completion of Pahandi, the Gajapati Maharaja, regarded as the foremost servitor of Lord Jagannath, performed the sacred Chhera Pahanra ritual by sweeping the chariots with a golden broom, symbolising humility and equality before the deities.

The Taladhwaja chariot carrying Lord Balabhadra was the first to roll out from Sharadhabali at around 4.37 p.m., followed by the Darpadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra and the Nandighosha chariot of Lord Jagannath.

Once the chariots reach the Singhadwar, the deities will remain on their chariots for the next set of rituals. A massive turnout of devotees is expected on Saturday for the Suna Besa, when the deities will be adorned with golden ornaments, and on Sunday for the Adharapana ritual.

The annual Rath Yatra festivities will conclude on July 27 with Niladri Bije, marking the ceremonial return of the deities into the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple.