Naveen Jindal said he felt blessed to be part of the sacred occasion.(Photo: Dynamite News)
Angul (Odisha): Thousands of devotees gathered at Devboomi in Jindal Nagar, Angul, on Friday to celebrate Bahuda Yatra 2026, marking the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra to the sanctum sanctorum after the annual Rath Yatra. The spiritual celebration witnessed large participation from employees, local residents, and devotees, with Jindal Steel Chairman Naveen Jindal leading the sacred chariot procession as the Prime Servitor.
The Bahuda Yatra began with traditional rituals performed under the guidance of temple priests, following the sacred customs of Puri's Sri Khetra. Naveen Jindal was accompanied by his mother and Hisar MLA Savitri Jindal, wife and Jindal Foundation Chairperson Shallu Jindal, daughter Yashasvini Jindal, and son-in-law Shashwat Somani.
After offering prayers, the family joined thousands of devotees in pulling the beautifully decorated chariots carrying the deities, symbolising their return to the temple. The event transformed Devboomi into a vibrant centre of devotion, with chants of "Jai Jagannath" echoing throughout the premises.
ALSO READ: Jindal Steel Re-Appoints VR Sharma As Managing Director To Lead Next Phase Of Growth
The festival drew a large gathering of Jindal Steel employees, their families, and members of the local community, who came together to participate in one of Odisha's most revered religious traditions.
The procession reflected the spirit of unity and faith, as devotees collectively pulled the chariots while seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath. The celebration recreated the grandeur of the famous Puri Bahuda Yatra, allowing devotees in Angul to experience the sacred festival closer to home.
Expressing gratitude after participating in the procession, Naveen Jindal said he felt blessed to be part of the sacred occasion alongside employees, their families, and the local community.
"I am thankful to Lord Jagannath for blessing my family and me with the opportunity to participate in the sacred Bahuda Yatra along with the employees, their families, and the local community at Jindal Nagar," he said.
"We pray to the Lord for the happiness, good health, peace, and prosperity of every individual. May His divine blessings continue to guide us all. Jai Jagannath!"
During the celebrations, Naveen Jindal also highlighted the Jindal Foundation's ongoing community outreach initiatives during the Rath Yatra festivities in Puri.
According to him, the Foundation's Prasad Seva centres are operating round the clock to provide free, wholesome meals and essential support to pilgrims visiting the holy city. The initiative has become an integral part of the annual Rath Yatra celebrations.
For more than a decade, the Jindal Foundation's Rath Yatra Seva programme has served lakhs of devotees from Rath Yatra until Suna Besha, reflecting the organisation's continued commitment to community service, faith, and humanitarian support.
The Bahuda Yatra 2026 at Jindal Nagar concluded with prayers, devotional songs, and community participation, reaffirming the cultural and spiritual significance of Lord Jagannath's annual journey. The festival once again brought together thousands of devotees, reinforcing the values of devotion, unity, and service that define the celebrations.
