Bhubaneswar, 4 July (H.S.): The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced that public entry to the Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri will be restricted from 6 PM today to facilitate preparations for the Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra to the Shree Jagannath Temple.

In view of the upcoming Bahuda Yatra scheduled for July 5, the temple administration has decided to suspend the evening Sandhya Darshan today. The temple’s main entrance, the Singh Dwar (Lion’s Gate), will remain closed to devotees after 6 PM to allow the ceremonial cleansing (Shodha) of the premises and the performance of other essential rituals ahead of the grand procession.

The SJTA, in a statement released on its official social media handle, informed, “On the occasion of Sandhya Darshan on Friday, July 4, 2025, public entry at the Singh Dwar of Shree Gundicha Temple will remain closed from 6:00 PM onwards. This arrangement is necessary to ensure the smooth execution of rituals and preparations for the Bahuda Yatra of the deities.”

Following the closure, the temple will undergo Shodha, a ritualistic purification, and several other sacred rites in readiness for the yatra. The administration emphasized that devotees will have the opportunity to witness the divine darshan of the Lords during the Bahuda Yatra as they return to their abode atop the grand chariots.

Appealing for public cooperation, the SJTA added, “We humbly request all devotees to consider this temporary restriction as a part of their service to Mahaprabhu. The kind cooperation of all pilgrims is highly appreciated in maintaining the sanctity and smooth conduct of the upcoming rituals.”

The Bahuda Yatra marks the return of the deities from the Gundicha Temple to the Shree Jagannath Temple, concluding the annual Rath Yatra festival in Puri, one of the most significant religious events in India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda