The famous Rath Yatra of lord Baladevjew at Tulashi Kshetra in the district passed off peacefully on Saturday amid much joy and devotion. More than 10,000 devotees from the district and its adjoining areas participated in the festival amid the chanting of Haribola and Hulahuli.
After completion of Manglarati, Abakash and Sakaladhupa of the deities, the Pahandi Bije of three deities to chariot started after 2 pm. All the three deities landed up in the Brahma Taladhwaja chariot, which is said to be the world's biggest chariot in height. The number of wheels used in chariot is 14 whereas the chariot is built with 1,216 wood logs. The height of the chariot is 62 feet.
The traditional Chhera Panhara was organized by the Raj Purohit after which the pulling began. The Brahma Taladhwaja chariot was stopped near the temple endowment office as per the rituals on Saturday. It was pulled to the Mausima temple on Sunday.
According to locals, the Ratha Yatra is a 300 year-old tradition in the area. The temple of lord Baladevjew was constructed in the year 1670 by the king of Kujanga.
Tight security arrangements were made to ensure a smooth festival. Kendrapada SP Satish Kumar Gajbhiye, district Collector Debaraj Senapati, Sub-Collector Kanhu Dhir and other senior officials monitored the event by remaining present at the Ratha Danda.
One ASP, two DSPs, four inspectors, eight sub inspector s, 23 ASIs, 52 constables and Havildars and one section of women constables, 120 Home Guards and six platoons of armed police were deployed for security. Apart from this, mobile patrolling was done, while a quick action team was present.
The devotees of Righagada painted three chariots in muruja (powders of different hues) in front of the lords which caught many eyeballs. Similarly, the Ratha Yatra was organized with a bond of brotherhood among the upper caste people and Dalits of Keredagada under Rajnagar. Keeping in mind possible clash among the caste people, security was beefed up. The district administration had also mobilized police in and around the temple to avert untoward incidents, informed Rajnagar police station IIC Sitakantha Kanungo.
Similarly, the festival was organised peacefully at Mahala, Gardapur, Pentha, Choudakulat, Amrutamanohi and Jagannathpur under Pattamundai police station.