Baripada: Baripada, the second Shree Kshetra, came alive with spiritual fervour as the ceremonial Pahandi Bije of the Chaturdhamurti—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshan—was held yesterday evening as of the iconic Rath Yatra amidst the chanting of Jai Jagannath and Hari Bol, beating of cymbals and blowing of conch shells.
As per reports, the chariot pulling, a highlight of the festival, is scheduled for today and tomorrow, June 28 and 29, as devotees prepare to escort the deities to the Mausi Maa temple.
Unlike the single-day chariot ascension and pulling in Puri’s Shree Kshetra, Baripada follows a unique tradition where the deities ascend their three respective chariots on the first day during a grand Pahandi procession, with the Rath Yatra spanning two days. Today, starting around 2:30 PM, devotees will pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra along the Badadanda (Grand Road) to the Mausi Maa temple.
A distinctive feature of Baripada’s Rath Yatra is that only women devotees pull Devi Subhadra’s chariot, adding a special cultural touch to the festivities.
The Badadanda was abuzz with devotion last night, with thousands of devotees thronging the area until late hours to offer bhog, tulsi, lotus, and aarti to the sibling deities, who were adorned on their chariots. The vibrant atmosphere continued today as crowds gathered for darshan, immersing themselves in the divine celebration.
The Mayurbhanj district administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe Rath Yatra, with the festival continuing until July 8. Devotees from across the region are expected to participate in this cherished tradition, making Baripada’s Badadanda a sea of faith and celebration.
