Dhenkanal/Sonepur: Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra was celebrated as per the local traditions in Odisha’s Dhenkanal and Sonepur on Tuesday.
In Dhenkanal, unlike Puri Rath Yatra, two chariots are pulled on the occasion of the annual festival. The idols of the sibling deities are brought in a “Pahandi Bije” (grand procession) from Shri Balaramjew temple to the chariots which are constructed by the Endowment department.
Former MP KP Singhdeo along with his family performed the ‘Chhera Pahanra’ (sweeping) the premises of the temple before the Pahandi Bije. While Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra were seated in one chariot, their sister Devi Subhadra was placed in another chariot.
This year, the Endowment department has constructed Nandighosh chariot of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra with a height of 42 ft and 9 inch and that of Devi Subhadra of 27 ft and 10 inch.
Dhenkanal Municipality along with local volunteers made elaborate arrangements including cleaning the area around the temple and the route of chariots, decorating the path with colourful rangolis and festoons. The district administration ensured smooth conduct of the festival with adequate deployment of police forces.
Similarly, the car festival of the Lords was also celebrated in Patali Shrikshetra in Subarnapur district. The deities were brought in ‘Pahandi Bije’ from their abode atop Chhalia hill at Kotasamalei amid a cacophony of blowing of conches, beating of drums and cymbals and recitation of hymns.
The servitors of the temple and hundreds of devotees participated in the procession which presented a magnificent sight in a surrounding of hill and greenery.
After the Lords arrived 200 ft down at the foothill, they were seated in three chariots exclusively built for them. Later, the servitors and the devotees pulled the chariots one after another to Mausima temple nearby.
