Navi Mumbai- Only Jagannath Temple situated at Sector Five in Kharghar of Navi Mumbai hosted Annual Return of Car Festival amidst spectacular fanfare and spiritual fervour. Thousands of Odia and Non – Odia devotees alongwith their family members gathered here to witness the Grand Religious Ceremony. Commencing from the morning all the religious rituals were performed before the Deities stationed at Gundicha mandir with utmost solemnity and unfettered devotion.The managing body of the temple, Maharashtra Odia Welfare Association (MOWA), made elaborate arrangements to maintain discipline and decorum during the Mega Event.
In the afternoon the Pahandi Bije of the Gods and Goddess commenced from the Adap Mandap. First Lord Sudarshana, then Elder Brother Lord Balabhadra, followed by Maa Subhadra and at the end Lord of the Universe Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha were taken in a mammoth procession to the colourfully decorated chariot parked in front of the Gundicha temple. The entire atmosphere got reverberated with recitals of hymns, shouting of slogans like Hari Bol, Jai Jagannath and playing of musical instruments such as Ghanta, Mardala, karatala, Jhanja and Mrudanga.
MOWA President and Trustee cum Mukhya Sevak Dr. Bhagwan Panda conducted the traditional sweeping on the chariot in golden broom called Cherrapahanra.After that the pulling of Chariot began with massive fanfare. The scene of Royal Sojourn of Lord of the Universe on board the majestic chariot in the streets of Mumbai was memorable and mesmerising. The Chariot reached at the Main Temple in the evening. The Idols will remain on the chariot for public viewing and worship as per temple sources. The Special attractions of the Bahuda Yatra Festival was presentations of soul soothing Bhajans by well known Odia singer Sricharana Mohanty and parcating of delicious prasad by devotees.The programmes of Prasad Sevan and recitals of Bhajans shall continue daily till the Niladri Bije Day on 27th July.
The entire arrangements of this year’s Bahuda Yatra were very well managed under the active and able stewardships of Trustees of MOWA such as President cum Mukhya Sevaka Dr.Bhagwan Panda, General Secretary Mr.Balaram Patro, Treasurer Dr.Manoj Kumar Nayak, Dr.Ketan Gokhale ,Mr.Bishnu Charan Khatua, Mr.Bighnaraj Parida, Capt. S.P. Rao , Mr.Maguni Raut and Vice-President CA Mr. Pabitra Mohan Mahapatra along with other members and volunteers which include senior advisers led by Dr.Rabinarayan Mishra and Dr.Sudharanjan Sahu.
