BARIPADA: THOUSANDS of women pulled the chariot of Goddess Subhadra at Baripada on Thursday. It is here that the practice of pulling of Subhadra’s chariot began in Odisha.
The Rath Yatra of Baripada is described as second only to that of Puri. However, unlike other places, the Pahandi is conducted a day before the chariots are pulled. The pulling continues for two consecutive days and the chariots will reach Mausima temple on the third day.
Amid the chanting of hymns, devotees from various parts of Odisha and neighbouring States pulled the chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra while the chariot of Lord Jagannath will be pulled the next day. Started at around 2.30 pm, Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, was pulled till Mausima temple, Darpadalana of Subhadra was pulled half the distance. On Friday, first Subhadra’s chariot will be pulled and then, Lord Jagannath’s chariot will be pulled. Rajya Sabha member Sarojini Hembram appreciated the efforts of the temple and the district administration for keeping the tradition intact. “This novel affair where only women pull the chariot of Devi Subhadra has set an example for others. Call it empowerment or tradition, it was certainly a moment for celebration,” she said.
