Bahuda Yatra

JAYA JAGANNATH

Today, is the holy ‘Shri Bahuda Yatra’. Chant of ‘Jagannath Swamy, Nayana pathagami; Bhaba Tu Me’ is an old age saying in the social lives of our country. ‘Basudheiba Kutumbakam’ is regarded as the exclusive term of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ i.e. the Hinduism. My place, Odisha is blessed with the heavenly abode of Lord Jagannath. Neelachal is overwhelmed today with the devotees from around the world congregating to see the God moving on the Great Street or Grand Avenue (Bada Danda) towards the Gundicha Mandir. Three richly decorated chariots, resembling temple structures will be pulled through ‘Bada Danda’ at Puri. Bada Thakura, His brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra had left for the Gundicha Mandir (Gundicha-King Indradyumna’s Queen), some 2 kms away from ‘Shree Mandir’ on Rath Yara, nine days back. This Bahuda Yatra and the Rath Yatra are the only days when devotees who are not allowed in the temple premises such as non- Hindus and foreigners can get their glimpses of the deities. People from all over the world consider it a pious opportunity to pull Lord’s Chariot with the help of other priests pulling the Chariots with ropes. On their way back from the Gundicha temple, the three deities stop for a while near the Mousi Maa temple (Aunt’s abode) and have an offering of Poda-Pitha, which is a special type of pancake supposed to be the Lord’s favorite. After a stay for seven days, the deities are returning to their abode. The festival is also known as Shri Bahuda Yatra. Lord Jagannath’s Chariot is called Nandighosh. It is forty-five feet high and forty-five feet square at the wheel level. It has 16 wheels, each of 7 feet diameter, and is decked with a cover made of red and yellow cloth. The Chariot of Lord Balabhadra, called the Taladhwaja, is one with the Palm Tree on its flag. It has 14 wheels, each of 7 feet diameter and is covered with red and blue cloth. Its height is 44 feet. The chariot of Sister Subhadra, known as Darpadalan, literally ‘trampler of pride’ is 43 feet high with 12 wheels, each of 7 feet diameter. This Chariot is also called Devadalan. This Chariot is decked with a covering of red and black cloth- black being traditionally associated with ‘Shakti’ and the Mother Goddess. The concept of the Chariots has been explained in the Upanishad in these lines, ‘atmaanam rathinam vidhhi shareeram rathamevatu budhhim tu saarathim vidhhi manah pragrahameva cha’. The body is the chariot and the soul is the deity installed in the Chariot. The wisdom acts as the Charioteer to control the mind and thoughts. Today is the third day of shukla paksha (waxing cycle of moon) of Shravan maas (fourth month in the lunar calendar). This auspicious day is celebrated as holy ‘Bahuda Yatra’. The festival commemorates Lord Jagannath’s annual visit to Gundicha Mata’s temple via aunt’s home (Mousi Maa temple which is near Balagandi Chowk in Puri). My only prayer at the Shri Chhamu (Feet of Shree Jagannath) is to grant peace and cheer to my brothers and sisters of Odisha and India as well. Jaya Jagannath.