The Bahuda Jatra, marking the return journey of the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to the main temple at Dasapalla Hills, was celebrated with great devotion and grandeur here on Friday. Organised by the Utkal Sanskrurika Samaj (USS), a prominent socio-cultural organisation of Odias in the city, the annual event drew hundreds of devotees.

The deities, who had been on a nine-day sojourn at the Gundicha temple located in Lawsons Bay Colony, were ceremonially brought back in a grand procession. The ritual of Pahandi Bije was performed to usher the deities onto the beautifully decorated chariot adorned with vibrant flowers.

Following tradition, the chariot platform was ritually swept by the designated Gajapati, after which USS president J.K. Nayak, along with several devotees, began pulling the chariot amid resonant chanting of bhajans and Sankirtan.

Adding to the spiritual and cultural fervour, the Odisha government had deputed the Gayatri Kala Sangathan from Rayagada to perform the traditional Dhimsa dance. Classical Odissi dance performances further enthralled the crowd along the route.

The return procession passed through several key locations, including Shanti Ashram, VUDA Park, Railway Guest House, AU Gate, HP petrol bunk, and the VUDA Children’s Theatre. Volunteers from the Marwadi Yuva Manch offered drinking water to devotees along the route, while the Gurudwara Sad Sangat provided snacks.