Gupta Gundicha Yatra of Lord Jagannath begins in Puri, to continue for 8 more days
The secret Gundicha yatra will continue for coming eight days in which Durga Madhav will be taken to the Narayani temple in the Dolamandapa Sahi in a procession
Puri: Lord Jagannath Mahaprabhu’s Gupta Gundicha Yatra has begun in the holy city of Puri in Odisha. Fulfilling the promise given to Maa Lakshmi on the day of Niladri Bije, Mahaprabhu is undertaking this Gupta Gundicha Yatra that will continue for another 8 days.
The Gupta Gundicha Yatra has begun from today in the temple of Durga Madhav in Srimandira. In this Yatra, Lord Jagannath takes Maa Mahalaxmi in the form of Maa Durga, along with him to the Narayani Temple located at Dolamandap Sahi for the next eight days.
According to folklore, since Lord Jagannath do not take Maa Lakshmi along with him to the Gundicha temple during the famous Rath yatra, for which the Lord promises for the same on the Niladri Bije day, this yatra is performed. This is done to protect the culture and tradition and devotees get great happiness by witnessing the same.
During the Sholapuja in the month of Ashwina, Lord Durga Madhav is worshipped at the Jagmohan of Maa Vimala temple in the Srimandira premises for first eight days, while for the last eight days, he visits the Narayani temple in the Dolamandap sahi taking Maa Durga along with him.
This unique tradition, known as Shakta Gundicha or Gupta Gundicha, has been held since ancient times. As a symbol of Durga Madhav worship, the Lord visits the Narayani temple taking Maa Durga, who is incarnation of Maa Mahalakshmi during this Gupta Gundicha yatra.
Today, after the Sakala Dhupa ritual, Lord Durga Madhav was make to sit on a special palanquin (Biman) and taken to the Dolamandap Sahi in a procession amid sounds of bells, umbrellas and Bije kahali. After reaching there, special prayers were offered and Durga Madhav were set at the Narayani temple. Especially here, there is a tradition of offering Mandua and Khaikora Bhog to the God and Goddess. The devotees were amazed after seeing this unique tradition.
This unique tradition is still being followed according to the tradition in the Sharadiya Durgautsav. Then, after Chandanlaagi ritual is performed in the Srimandira, Durga Madhav Durga Madhav return from the Narayani temple to Srimandira.
