The Puri Rath Yatra may be a global event drawing lakhs of devotees, but the annual car festival of lord Baldevjew in Kendrapada holds its distinctive religious significance in the annals of Jagannath culture. The tradition here in Tulashi Kshetra is something different from others.
Though everywhere one can find the devotees pull chariot of lord Jagannath, Baladevjew and Subhadra on the Bahuda day, but here the deities just ride the chariot on Bahuda day, while it is pulled the next day.
On Friday, after completion of Manglarati, Abakash, Sakaladhupa and Senapatti lagi of the deities on the chariot, the chariot pulling work of Brahma Taladhwaja started which reached near the Baladevjew temple before sunset. As the climate was soothing, thousands of devotees thronged to grand road of Tulashi Kshetra to witness the annual return car festival where the lords marched towards Baldevjew temple.
According to the Sebayats (priests), the Rath Yatra is a 300-year-old event in Tulasi Kshetra. The temple of lord Baladevjew was constructed in 1670 by the king of Kujanga. Both the car festival and return car festival are observed for two days here while elsewhere, including Puri, it’s only a one-day affair. For the devout Hindus, Tulasi Kshetra is as important as Sri Kshetra in Puri, Ekamra Kshetra in Bhubaneswar, Viraja Kshetra in Jajpur and Arka Kshetra in Konark.