Thousands of devotees and priests gathered in Puri on July 24, 2026, to participate in the Pahandi ritual and the Bahuda Yatra [1].

The event marks the conclusion of the nine-day Rath Yatra, symbolizing the return of the deities to their primary temple. This return journey is a central pillar of the religious calendar in Odisha, drawing massive crowds to the coastal city.

The proceedings began with the Pahandi ceremony, which was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. [3]. This traditional ritual initiates the return journey for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from the Gundicha Temple back to the Shri Jagannath Temple [2]. The ritual serves as the formal transition for the deities before they are placed upon their chariots.

Following the morning ceremonies, the schedule designated 4 p.m. for the commencement of the chariot pulling [4]. The procession moves from the Adapa Mandapa and along the route toward the main temple [2]. The movement of these massive structures is managed by thousands of devotees who pull the ropes as an act of faith [1].

This cycle began earlier this month on July 16, 2026, when the initial Rath Yatra festivities commenced [5]. The period between the departure and the return involves various rituals and traditions that focus on the spiritual journey of the deities. Security and crowd management remain primary focuses for local authorities during the final darshan and the subsequent procession [2].

The Bahuda Yatra effectively closes the public window for the deities' excursion, returning them to the sanctum of the Shri Jagannath Temple where they will remain until the next cycle begins.

“The Bahuda Yatra marks the conclusion of the nine-day Rath Yatra”

The Bahuda Yatra is more than a logistical return; it represents the completion of a spiritual cycle that reinforces the cultural and religious identity of Odisha. The high volume of participants underscores the continued significance of traditional Vedic rituals in modern India, necessitating complex urban coordination in Puri to manage the influx of thousands of pilgrims.