Final Sandhya Darshan Marks End of Gundicha Yatra

Puri: The sacred Sandhya Darshan of Lord Jagannath at the Janmabedi (birth altar) inside Shree Gundicha Temple concluded today at 6:00 PM, drawing to a close the spiritually charged nine-day Gundicha Yatra. Thousands of devotees from across the country gathered for the final glimpse of the deities, with the temple complex and Saradhabali brimming with devotional fervor throughout the day.

The day’s rituals began in the early hours, with the temple doors opening at 4:00 AM, followed by Mangala Alati at 4:30 AM. By 7:00 AM, the divine adornment of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra was completed, leading into the morning Gopal Ballabh and other sacred rituals.

Devotee darshan commenced at 5:00 AM, with entry restricted up to the Baharakatha (outer wooden enclosure). Access to the sanctum was limited to ticket holders, while special provisions were arranged for women from servitor families. The Singhadwar served as the designated entry point, with devotees exiting through Nakachana Dwara, maintaining an orderly one-way flow.

A special second Bhog Mandap ritual took place between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM. This was followed by the evening sequence of Sandhya Alati, Sandhya Dhupa, and other concluding ceremonies, which began at 5:00 PM. The official darshan hours ended at 7:00 PM, although Adapa Abhada—the sacred food offering—continued to be served to devotees at Anandabazar through the Nakachana Gate until midnight.

Security arrangements, overseen by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), ensured smooth movement and a spiritually fulfilling experience for the lakhs of devotees who participated in this year’s Yatra. The deities had commenced the Gundicha Yatra on June 27 and reached the Adapa Mandap of the Gundicha Temple on June 29.

With the completion of Dakhina Moda—the southward turning of the chariots—on Thursday, preparations are now in full swing for the Bahuda Yatra (Return Car Festival) on July 5. The chariot pulling is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM. This will be followed by Suna Besha (golden attire of the deities) on July 6, Adhara Niti on July 7, and finally, Niladri Bije on July 8, marking the return of the divine siblings to the sanctum of Shree Jagannath Temple.