Bahuda Yatra Returns to Visakhapatnam Amid Jubilant Chants and Drums

On Sunday, July 26, 2026, the streets of Visakhapatnam were alive with the rhythmic beat of drums and the echo of Vedic chants as the Bahuda Yatra – the traditional Return Chariot Festival – made its way back to the Sri Jagannatha Swamy Temple.

The procession kicked off at Turner’s Choultry on Main Road, where the beautifully decorated chariot, laden with the idols of Lord Jagannatha, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, waited for the crowd’s blessings. After a brief ceremonial pause, the chariot rolled forward, drawing an enthusiastic throng of devotees, seniors, children and tourists alike.

Music swelled from brass bands and folk ensembles, while fireworks lit the sky at regular intervals, creating a festive atmosphere that felt part devotion, part celebration. The route traced the familiar path to the temple on Town Kotta Road, a journey that has been repeated for generations during the Rath Yatra season.

Visakhapatnam South MLA Ch. Vamsi Krishna Srinivas officially inaugurated the Bahuda Yatra. He offered prayers, performed the traditional rope‑pulling ritual and, with a solemn smile, urged everyone to cherish the values of harmony and cultural continuity.

Officials from the Endowments Department – ADCP Annepu Narasimha Murthy, Assistant Commissioner Annapurna, Temple Trust Board Chairman Surada Raj Kumar, Executive Officer T. Rajagopal Reddy – joined temple priests and a host of trustees to oversee the proceedings. Their presence underscored the event’s importance not just as a religious rite, but also as a pillar of community identity.

Before reaching the sanctum sanctorum, a traditional “Samvadam” was performed. In this ritual dialogue, the deities are symbolically invited to re‑enter the inner sanctum, marking the end of the festive journey. The crowd responded with reverent applause and a chorus of “Jai Jagannatha!” that reverberated through the evening air.

The Rath Yatra celebrations, which began on July 17 at the Kalyan Mandapam within Turner’s Choultry, have now drawn to a close. Yet the memories of chanting crowds, fluttering flags and the glow of fireworks will linger long after the last firecracker fizzles out.

For many, the Bahuda Yatra is more than a ritual; it is a reminder of shared heritage, a chance to pause and partake in a collective prayer for peace and prosperity. As the chariot settled back at the temple, devotees lingered, lighting incense sticks and offering flowers, hoping that the divine blessings would accompany them through the year ahead.