Bhubaneswar, July 22: The ceremonial Dakshina Moda (southward turning) of the three grand Rath Yatra chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra was successfully completed on Wednesday, marking an important milestone in the annual festival and paving the way for the upcoming Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of the Holy Trinity to the Shree Jagannath Temple.
The ritual, which commenced on Tuesday, was significantly disrupted by heavy rainfall that lashed the pilgrim town. While Devi Subhadra’s Darpadalana (Devadalana) chariot was successfully turned and positioned near the Nakachana Dwara of the Gundicha Temple on Tuesday, the Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra and Nandighosa chariot of Lord Jagannath could not be turned due to incessant rain and slippery conditions.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) suspended the remaining part of the ritual midway to ensure the safety of servitors and devotees. With weather conditions improving on Wednesday morning, servitors resumed the ceremonial work and successfully turned Taladhwaja southward first, followed by Nandighosa, which was also positioned near the Nakachana Dwara.
Following the completion of Dakshina Moda, officials said all three chariots will undergo a detailed technical inspection to ensure their structural stability and readiness for the Bahuda Yatra.
Despite the successful completion of the ritual, the chariots remain stationed in waterlogged conditions at Saradhabali due to continuous rainfall in Puri. Authorities have erected barricades around the chariots and deployed additional security personnel to safeguard the sacred structures.
Dakshina Moda is one of the most significant pre-Bahuda Yatra rituals, as it aligns the chariots southward for the return journey of the deities from Gundicha Temple to the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple. With this crucial ritual now complete, preparations have gathered momentum for the Bahuda Yatra, which is expected to witness the participation of lakhs of devotees from across the country.
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