Baripada, known as the second Srikshetra, is now ready for the famous annual festival of Rath Yatra. Things so far have gone smoothly.
In line with traditions, the Netrotsav and the Nava Jauvana Darsan will take place on Saturday. While the first ritual is taking place during the day hours, the latter is to be held in the evening.
Then, on Sunday (June 25), Pahandi of the three deities will be held with gaiety and fervor, after the Chheraa pahanraa by the Parichchhaa.
Unlike Puri, here at Baripada, pulling of chariots does not take place on the day of Pahandi.
Pulling of the three chariots will begin here from Monday (June 26) and will continue for two days. While on the first day, lord Balabhadra’s Rath will be taken by the devotees from the Sri Jagannath Temple to the Mausi Maa Mandir (local Ambika Mandir), and Devi Subhadra’s Rath will be taken half-way; on the second day(June 27), Devi Subhadraa will complete her journey to the Mausi Baadi. later lord Jagannath’s chariot pulling takes place.
What is remarkable is Devi Subhadra’s chariot here is pulled by women devotees only and the same tradition will be followed this year too.From June 28 to July 2, darshans of different Veshas of the deities will take place. Finally, the return journey of the deities will be held with much fanfare.