The sacred Adapa Bije ritual of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshan will be observed today at the Gundicha Temple in Puri, marking one of the most significant events of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra. The ritual signifies the ceremonial entry of the sibling deities into the Adapa Mandap, where they will stay for the next few days before the return journey during the Bahuda Yatra.
Thousands of devotees have thronged the holy town since early morning, while lakhs are expected to witness the grand ritual that forms an integral part of the centuries-old Rath Yatra traditions.
Sacred Goti Pahandi Procession
As per the traditional rituals of the Shree Jagannath Temple, the deities will be ceremonially escorted from their respective chariots into the Adapa Mandap through the revered Goti Pahandi procession in the evening.
Following temple customs, Lord Sudarshan will be the first to enter the temple premises. He will be followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and finally Lord Jagannath, who will be escorted amid devotional chants, the sound of traditional instruments, and the enthusiastic participation of servitors.
The procession symbolises the divine journey of the deities to their birthplace, known as the Janmabedi, where Lord Jagannath is believed to perform His sacred Adapa Leela during His stay at the Gundicha Temple.
Lakhs Gather at Saradha Bali
The area around Saradha Bali, situated near the Gundicha Temple, has witnessed a massive influx of devotees eager to have one final glimpse of the Holy Trinity seated on their majestic chariots before they are taken inside the temple.
Pilgrims from across Odisha and different parts of the country have gathered to participate in the auspicious occasion, making it one of the most crowded days of the Rath Yatra festivities.
Devotees consider witnessing the deities before the Adapa Bije ritual to be spiritually significant, as it offers a rare opportunity to seek blessings while the deities remain seated on their respective chariots.
Extensive Crowd Management Arrangements
Anticipating huge crowds, the Puri district administration and security agencies have implemented elaborate crowd management measures to ensure smooth darshan and public safety.
A one-way darshan system has been introduced at Saradha Bali to regulate the movement of pilgrims. Under this arrangement, devotees will enter through designated entry points, offer prayers from the front of the chariots, and exit through a separate route to minimise congestion and maintain a continuous flow of visitors.
Police personnel, volunteers, and temple officials have been deployed in large numbers to assist devotees and manage the heavy footfall throughout the day.
Chariots Completed Journey to Gundicha Temple
The Nandighosha Rath of Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaja Rath of Lord Balabhadra, and Darpadalana Rath of Devi Subhadra successfully completed their journey to the Gundicha Temple on Friday after the chariot pulling resumed in the morning.
The Rath Yatra had commenced on Thursday with lakhs of devotees pulling the three grand chariots along the Bada Danda (Grand Road). However, the procession was halted for the night after the scheduled pulling time exceeded the traditional time limit prescribed by temple rituals.
The chariot procession resumed the following morning, allowing all three chariots to reach Saradha Bali outside the Gundicha Temple, where they now await the ceremonial Adapa Bije ritual.
Spiritual Significance of Adapa Bije
The Adapa Bije ritual holds immense religious importance in the Jagannath tradition. During this ceremony, the sibling deities leave their chariots and enter the Gundicha Temple, where they remain for several days before returning to the Shree Jagannath Temple during the Bahuda Yatra.
The stay at the Gundicha Temple symbolises Lord Jagannath’s annual visit to His birthplace, and devotees believe that offering prayers during this period brings immense spiritual merit and divine blessings.
With elaborate security arrangements, traditional rituals, and lakhs of devotees participating in the celebrations, Puri is once again immersed in an atmosphere of devotion as the sacred Adapa Bije ritual unfolds.
