The India Cultural Society of New Jersey and Tri-State Odia Devotees of USA celebrated the famous Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival) on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Wayne Hindu Temple.
Thousands of devotees participated in the Yatra festival of Chaturdha Murti: Lord Jagannath, Lord Balavadra, Devi Suvadra & Lord Sudarshan for 18 consecutive years, a press release from organizers said.
The Ratha Yatra festival marks the annual journey of three deities – Lord Jagannathji, brother Balabhadraji and sister Subhadraji – from the temple in a resplendent wooden chariot.
Mahapuja began with sacred Yagna (prayer) in the afternoon by priest Sastri Anil Joshi & Pandit Pitambar Sarangi.
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Senior members of Temple Dr. Sarat Dash, Jayesh Patel, Dr. Dhiren Das, Akhil Patel, Kaushik Patel, Prabhas Panigrahi and Arvind Bhatt participated in the MahaPuja and Yagna.
Many devotees including dignitaries attended the puja, Maha Aarati and the pahandi (ritual journey of the deities) ceremony. Sri Jagannath Bhajan by Dr Bijoy Das and the sound of Kirtan (devotional song) presented by devotees filled the temple.
Kitchen volunteers prepared Maha Prasad and Chhapan Bhoga to offer their beloved God on this auspicious day.
Other important rituals like Chhera Panhara (symbolic cleansing around the chariot) was performed by Dr Dhiren Das and Prabhas Panigrahi, with a broom (gold-handled), sprinkling sandalwood water while Priests chanted shlokas and other dignitaries were offering flowers to the deities.
The Yatra was accompanied with a music ensemble that included Mridangam, Ghanta, Gini, and Kirtan devotees enjoyed pulling the elaborate chariot to Shri Gundicha Temple where deities will reside for 9 days.
The Bahuda Yatra (return Rath Yatra) on which the deities return to the main temple from Gundicha temple (which is believed to be their aunt’s house), was celebrated on Sunday, July 6. This return journey is a significant part of the annual Rath Yatra festival. The term “Bahuda” itself means “return” or “homecoming” in Sanskrit.
Live bhajan program, vocal performances, Indian Classical and Fusion Dance Ensemble were presented by local and professional artists. Several hundred attendees joined at Wayne Hindu Temple auditorium and witnessed the splendid cultural show while enjoying authentic snacks and Lassi from the state of Odisha. Bahuda Rath Yatra started at 7pm from Sri Gundicha Temple and deities went back to Ratna Mandap after the Laxmi Darshan ritual. During the Bahuda Yatra, the chariot stopped on the way where the deities are offered Poda Pitha, a traditional sweet.
Devotees got to be in the presence of Lord Sri Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra in their golden attire – “Suna Vesa” as the Maha Aarati was conducted. The Yatra ended with the serving of Mandir Prasad.