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Ratha Yatra or Car festival of Baripada occupies second
position to that of Puri. During the days of festivity small township of
Baripada wears a different look with three gigantic chariots of Lord
Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Shubhadra, criss-cross of light and
thronging of large number of devotees puring from different parts of this
District as well as neighbouring districts. The Nine days festival on
Badadanda fills the heart and mind of the devotees with religious
sentiments as their faith goes like this ‘touching the rope of Ratha of
Lord Jagannath would mitigate the pain of rebirth and immortal soul would
mingle with great soul of greatest creator of this Universe’. Whatever may
be the truth behind it, Ratha yatra or Ghosh Yatra of three deities
are performed with religious fervour and enthusiasm which is simply
beggar’s description. The construction of Huge chariot begins on the
Akshaya trutiya (Shukla Trutiya of Baishakha) day.
The Ratha Yatra Schedule:
I. Netra Utsav-Ashadha Krushna Amabasya
II. Uvayatra-Ashadha Shukla Pratipada
III. Pahandi(Gundicha at Puri)-Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya
IV. Pulling of Chariots-Ashadha Trutiya & Chaturthi
V. Bahuda Yatra & Pahandi-Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi
VI. Pulling of Bahuda Chariots-Ashadha Dwadashi & Trayodasi
“Gundicha Yatra has been observed since 1575 A.D.The three deities arrive
on the respective chariots after ‘Pahandi’.The pulling of the Chariots
begins the next day.The 14-wheeled ‘Taldhwaja’(the chariot of Lord
Balabhadra) moves first and reaches the ‘Mausi’ temple.Thereafter
12-wheeled ‘Devidalan’or ‘Vijaya’(chariot of Devi Shubhadra) is pulled
only by ladies.Normally this chariot reaches half-way and stops near the
town police station.With night fall pulling of chariots is stopped for
safety and security reason.Next day at 2:00 P.M the pulling of chariots is
resumed and ‘Devadalan’ reaches the destination.Then starts the “Nandighosh”(the
massive chariot with 16 Wheels-largest of the three-of Lord Jagannath).
With the accompaniment of resounding conch shells “Ghantas” the chariot
Covers the distance majestically swaying both ways.On “Bahuda” Day,
observed on Ashar Shukla Ekadashi the same rituals are performed and
chariots pulling is completed in two days. As there is no space for the
chariots to move around ,the reverse sequence is followed in the return
journey-First starts “Nandighosh”, then Devadalan and then the “Taladhwaja”.
Other facts & Legends associated with the Ratha Yatra:
1.Length of Badadanda from Shri Haribaldev Temple to Mausibadi is 3000ft.
Regarding ‘VESHA’ on different days while in ‘Mausi’s temple
A.1st day-Ananta Vasudev
B.2nd day-Luxmi Narayan
C.3rd day -Viswarupa Mahadev and Kaliya Dalan
D.4th day-Nrusingha & Kali
E.5th day-Baman and Kalaki
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