The famous Rath Yatra of Lord Baladevjew at Tulashi Kshetra of Kendrapada was celebrated amid religious fervour and gaiety on Thursday.
Thousands of devotees from Kendrapada and adjoining districts participated in the festival. After completion of Mangalarati, Abakash, Sakaladhupa rituals, the Pahandi bije of three deities was conducted and they were seated in the chariot called “Brahma Taladhwaja Rath”.
After the Chherapanhara conducted by the Raj Purohit, devotees pulled the chariot, which halted at the Endowment office for the day. The Rath will be pulled to Mausimaa temple on Friday.
The Ratha Yatra has been observed in the Tulashi Kshetra for more than 300 years. The temple was constructed in 1670 by the king of Kujang.
Tight security arrangements were made to ensure the safety during the Ratha yatra. District Collector Samarth Verma and other senior officials monitored the Rath Yatra.
The Rath Yatra was held at Righagada in a unique way with painting of three chariots in muruja.
The Ratha Yatra was observed amid brotherhood at Keredagada in the Rajnagar area where people belonging to all castes, including Dalits, participated.
Similarly, the Car Festival was organised at Harihara Khetra in Mahala, Banabiharijew Tmple at Pentha, Dadhibabanjew temple at Choudakulat’s Tamalasasan, Jagannath temple at Amrutamanohi and Jagannathpur under the Pattamundai police station.
The Rath at Kakatpur under Mahakalapada block was pulled with chains instead of coir ropes. It is an exception here.