Baripada: One of the many unique traditions of the second Shreekhsetra Baripada Rath Yatra is that only women pull Devi Subhadra’s chariot.
On the first day of the two-day pulling of chariots, Devi Subhadra’s chariot is pulled halfway and another halfway to reach the Gundicha temple on the next day. On these two days, only women pull the Darpadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra. Every year a large number of women participate in this pulling of chariots.
This year, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Pravati Parida, is scheduled to visit Baripada and participate in this unique tradition.
This was revealed by Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra during his visit here.
“With Prabhu Shree Jagannath’s mercy and blessings Prabhu’s Rath Yatra in Baripada this year will be held with great pomp and show. As Devi Subhadra’s chariot is pulled by women, this year too Devi Subhadra’s chariot will be pulled by women. This time Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida will be present and pull the chariot. I therefore strongly believe that Prabhu Shree Jagannath will surely bless the people of Baripada and Mayurbhanj with bliss and prosperity,” informed Housing & Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra.