Every year on Ashad Dwitiya, one of the world’s famous festivals, Rath Yatra is organized in Odisha. This 15-day long festival is celebrated to honour an annual visit of the presiding deities, Lord Jagannath along with his two siblings to their aunt’s house. During this festival, millions of devotees come to Puri just to get a glimpse of the Lord Jagannath’s procession.
When it comes to Rath Yatra festival, the primary destination that comes to our mind is Puri. However, the chariot festival is also celebrated in other neighboring cities with equal fervour and gaiety. Read on to explore these unexplored Rath Yatra destinations in Odisha.
Baripada
The temple of Lord Jagannath at Baripada popularly known as Haribaldev temple has a grand celebration during Rath Yatra. Baripada’s Rath Yatra is popular for its unique culture where the chariot of Subhadra (Lord Jagannath’s sister) is pulled by women. Another major attraction during the Rath Yatra festival is the Chau dance performances staged by locals at different venues.
How to reach: The nearest railway station is Baripada Railway station (BPO). It is also well connected by roads fromBhubaneswar and Kolkata.
Kendrapada
Kendrapada, approximately 100km from Puri, is another popular Rath Yatra destination known for its unique traditions. In the Kendrapada temple, the presiding deity is Lord Balabhadra (Lord Jagannath’s brother). This temple is special as it allows people from all caste to be part of the Rath Yatra celebrations. The unique feature of the Rath Yatra celebration here is – only one chariot is pulled, unlike three in Puri and other places. Also, the chariot is of Lord Balabhadra and not of Lord Jagannath. The grandeur of this one chariot is a big pull for visitors as it is over 72ft in height, even taller than the chariots in Puri.
How to reach: The nearest railway station is Kendrapada Road (KNPR) and the city is well connected by road from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Koraput
Koraput is another holy place of Odisha. Open to all, the Rath Yatra at Koraput Shri Jagannath Mandir is a big draw among locals and tourists. The Jagannath temple here was built in the 12th Century and is a reflection of the ancient architecture of eastern India style. People from nearby cities come here to worship Lord Jagannath who is the presiding deity here. Apart from the Rath Yatra procession, there are many cultural events and dance performances which keep the visitors busy. Shopping is another big attraction for everyone coming to Koraput.
How to reach: Nearest railway station isKoraput station (KRPU). The city is well connected to other important cities by road and driving down to Koraput is a delight with thick dense forest along the way.
Angul
The beautiful Lord Jagannath temple atop the Sunasagada hilltop has become a site of tourist attraction among visitors as far as foreign countries. Here Goddess Subhadra’s chariot is pulled only by the women folk. The hilly terrain and the huge number of visitors add to the festive fervor of Rath Yatra celebrations in Angul.
How to reach: Nearest railway station isAngul (ANGL). It is well-connected to Cuttack other cities by road.
Keonjhar
The unique feature about Keonjhar is that unlike many other places, the deities are not recreated every year. Interesting fact about Rath Yatra here is there has been no Nabakalebara (recreation new idols of the deities) for the change of idols. The same idols have been worshiped since the temple’s inception. Goddess Subhadra is red in colour instead of the usual yellow, all making it look bright and colourful. You will get astonished to see, when the wheels roll on the Grand Road (Badadanda) people forgetting their caste, creed, and sex to extend their hands to just touch rope used to pull the Rath Yatra.
How to reach: Nearest railway station isJajpur Keonjhar station. (JJKR)
So, even if you don’t get a chance to catch a glimpse of the Lord in Puri, don’t get disheartened and explore these destinations and seek Lord Jagannath’s blessings.
Jai Jagannath!
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