The Daru of Shree Jagannath began its journey from Kharipadia to Puri on Thursday evening. The wood was taken in a Sagadi or a specially made cart while thousands of devotees gathered to take a glimpse of the holy log. The Daitapatis and Banajaga members were seen performing rituals before carrying the Daru.
Official information revealed that the Sagadi will connect Cuttack-Paradip road through Gopalpur village from Kharipadia and then reach Raghunathpur. The Daru Sagadi accompanists after a night’s rest at Ramkumarpur will resume their journey towards Cuttack on Friday.
District Collector SK Mallick and SP Sudha Singh accompanied by senior officials were leading the security arrangements and paving the way for the Daru Sagadi while it was dragged by devotees and enthusiasts in large numbers.
The entire stretch from Raghunathpur to Ramkumarpur on either side of the Cuttack- Paradip State highway was swarmed with devotees to welcome the holy log. Many were seen sprinkling flowers and spraying water on the road. There were others who laid new Sarees and decorated the road with Rangoli.
After Shree Jagannath Sagadi got delayed by a day causing non completion of Daru Chaupata works and controversy among Banajaga members selecting holy day for Sagadi departure on Thursday, many residents of Kharipadia village on Thursday raised objection to leaving the Daru Sagadi on unholy Masaanta day. However, the locals were convinced that no problem was there to start the Yatra on the day by the Banajaga members.