KENDRAPARA:A mammoth gathering was witnessed at Tulasi Srikhetra in Kendrapara where the chariot of Lord Baladevjew was pulled to Gundicha temple, located two kms away. The chariot stopped midway by evening and would be pulled to its destination on Sunday.
The 65 feet high wooden chariot of Lord Baladevjew in this coastal town is one of the biggest chariots of the State. This chariot is taller than the Jagannath temple chariots in Puri. “Puri is the abode of Lord Jagannath while Kendrapara is the home of elder brother Lord Balabhadra,” said Basudev Das, a temple researcher.
Around 50,000 devotees reached the temple on Saturday to have a glimpse of the annual event and offer prayer.
The Jagannath temple at Deulasahi under Rajkanika has been a symbol of communal harmony as both Hindus and Muslims joined in pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath. Of 2500 villagers in the village nearly 800 are Muslims.