Thousands Throng For Rath Yatra Festival At Tulasi Kshetra

KENDRAPADA: The Rath Yatra of Lord Baladevjew at Tulasi Kshetra of Kendrapara district passed off peacefully as thousands of devotees thronged to witness the annual festival here on Wednesday.

The Pahandi Bije of the three deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to decorated wooden chariots started after 2 pm from the sanctum sanctorum.

All the three deities landed up in the Brahma Taladhwaja chariot, which is said to be the world’s biggest chariot on height. The number of wheels used in Taladhwaja chariot is 14. The height of the chariot is 62 feet from the bottom.

Later, the traditional Chhera Panhara was performed by Raj Purohit and devotees pulled the Brahma Taldwaja Ratha. The chariot was stopped near the temple Endowment office as per the rituals.

The chariot would be pulled to Mausima Temple on Thursday.

According to locals, the Ratha Yatra is being observed in Tulashi Khetra, the abode of Lord Baladevjew, since last 300 years. The temple of Lord Baladevjew was constructed in the year 1670 by the king of Kujanga.

Tight security arrangements were made to ensure the safety during the Ratha Yatra. The District collector, Debaraj Senapati, and other senior officials monitored the situation by remaining present at Ratha danda.