Baripada: As per traditions, Baripada is all decked up for observing Rath Yatra on Friday. The quaint town is known to observe Rath Yatra a day after it is observed in Puri.
The pulling of chariots will be undertaken in two days-today and tomorrow. The three deities were brought to their respective chariots yesterday in goti pahandi, i.e. in a procession where the deities are brought one by one.
On the first day, i.e. July 5, the rath or chariot of Lord Balabhadra will be pulled and brought to Mausi Ma temple. Then chariot pulling of Goddess Subhadra will begin. But it will be stopped mid-way and will stay near the Town police station by the end of the day today.
Also Read: Rath Yatra: Pulling Of Chariots Begins Amidst Holy Chants
Tomorrow, i.e. on July 5, the chariot of Goddess Subhadra will reach Mausi Ma temple. It will be followed by Lord Jagannath finally reaching the temple after his siblings.
It is believed that once Rath Yatra at Puri is done, the holy siblings reside here for a while. Hence, the chariot festival is conducted a day late here. The Rath Yatra of Baripada is unique for another reason that Goddess Subhadra’s chariot is pulled only by women devotees.
The Baripada administration has made elaborate preparations for Rath Yatra celebrations. Just like every year, hundreds of devotees are expected to throng the town to take part in the festivities.
Ms Kalinga