BAHUDA YATRA, ADHARA PANA AND SUNA VESHA

Bahuda Yatra is the Return Journey of the three chariots to Jagannath Temple. After spending a week inside the Gundicha temple, the deities commence their Bahuda Yatra on the 10th day. The return journey follows the same protocol and schedule, as is found during the Ratha Yatra. During the return journey, the three chariots stop for awhile at the Mausima Temple, also known as Ardhasani Temple. This temple is dedicated to the aunt of Lord Jagannath. Here three deities are offered ‘Poda Pitha’, a special sweet made of rice, coconut, lentils and jaggery. After taking Poda Pitha, three deities start their journey to the main temple. The chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra move forward and are parked at Lion’s gate (Singha dwara) of the temple where as the chariot of Jagannath again halts in front of the King's palace. In the meanwhile Goddess Lakshmi (wife of Lord Jagannath) steals a glimpse of the safe return of Jagannath's chariot from the Chahani Mandapa (Pavilion for view). Being pleased Goddess Lakshmi is carried to the chariot of Jagannath while sitting in the Palanquin. She is offered a loving garland which Lord Jagannath uses as loving souvenir from her partner. After receiving the garland Goddess Lakshmi goes back to the Temple and awaits her partner. This event facilitates Lord Jagannath to make arrangement for his successful entry to the main Temple. On the day of Bahuda Yatra the Deities remain in their respective chariots parked in front of the main temple.

On the 11th day (Ekadasi), the deities are offered a refreshing drink named as ‘Adhara Pana’. In local language ‘Adhara’ means ‘Lip’ and ‘Pana’ is a sweet scented drink made of milk, sugar, cheese, banana, camphor, nutmeg, black pepper etc. The deities are offered Adhara Pana on huge cylindrical earthen pots reaching up to their lips and the quantity is nearly 100 liters. Raghava Das Matha offers the adhara pana to the Deities during this occasion.

Adhara Pana offered to Lord Balabhadra

Adhara Pana offered to Goddess Subhadra

Adhara Pana offered to Lord Jagannath

On the same day, during evening the three deities are dressed in glittering gold on their respective chariots. This day is also known as ‘Suna Vesha’. The gold is stored at the temple's bhandara ghar (treasury). The bhandara nikap priests (store in-charge), guarded by armed police men and temple officials, brought the required amount of gold from the bhandara ghar before 1 hour and handed them over to the puspalaka and daitapati priests on the chariots. The daitapati priests are responsible to decorate the Deities' body with gold jewelry. Devotees witnessed the Suna Besha from evening 5 pm till 11 pm.

Suna Vesha of Lord Balabhadra

Suna Vesha of Goddess Subhadra

Suna Vesha of Lord Jagannath

All the three deities are decorated with gold ornaments. Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra appear with hands and feet made of gold. Lord Jagannath holds a gold Chakra(disc) in his right hand and a silver conch in the left hand. Lord Balabhadra appears holding a gold plough in the left hand and a gold mace in the right hand. The following ornaments are used to decorate the Deities in Sunabesha:

• Suna Hasta - Golden Hand
• Suna Payar - Golden feet
• Suna Mukuta - Golden Crown
• Suna Mayur Chandrika - A golden peacock feather used by Lord Jagannath as Sri Krishna head piece
• Suna Chulapati - A golden ornament worn traditionally on the forehead to increase the beauty of the face
• Suna Kundal - Golden earring of hanging round ball type
• Suna Rahurekha - A half square shaped golden aura around the face of the deities
• Suna Mala - Necklaces with Several Design made of gold. These include:
• Padma Mala - Lotus Shaped
• Sevati Mala - Shaped Like Small Sun Flower
• Agasti Mala - Moon Shaped flower design
• Kadamba - MALA -Kadamba Flower Design (Round ball shape)
• Kante Mala -Big Gold Beads Design
• Mayur Mala -Shaped in Peacock feathers
• Champa Mala -Shaped liked Yellow champa Flower
• Suna Chakra - Golden Wheel
• Suna Gada - Golden bludgeon
• Suna Padma - Golden lotus
• Rupa Sankha - A silver conch

Suna Mukuta - Golden Crown

Suna Hasta - Golden Hand

On the 12th day, after the evening rituals, the deities return to the temple with the victory trumpet leading the procession. Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken to the sanctum sanctorum (Ratna Singhasana) in goti pahandi whereas the entry of Jagannath is met with many a pleasant hurdle. Devadasis at the behest of Lakshmi close the main entrance for a spell and they close the Jaya-Vijaya door and engage themselves in a pleasant repartee with the daitas. This event is just to show Lakshmi's uneasy concern for Lord’s absence in the Temple. After that, Jagannath is made to sit beside Lakshmi where a ritual of reunion is rehearsed and finally Lord Jagannath ascends the Ratna Singhasana and rejoins His brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. Deities return to the sanctum is known as ‘NILADRI VIJAY’ or ‘Niladri Vije’.