In a deviation from the prevailing tradition from yore, Brahma Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Baladevjew in Kendrapara will be pulled to Mausima temple on Sunday. The pulling of the chariot was extended for another day as it suffered damage due to an accident.
As per reports, the chariot was hit with a light post along the roadside due to faulty driving by the charioteer. However, the servitors alleged that the accident happened due to neglect by the district administration.
The chariot could be pulled to a distance of 100 metres only as it met with the unfortunate accident due to alleged faulty management.
Following the development, the servitors, Endowment Department and the district administrations decided to stop the pulling of the chariot. The chariot will be pulled again today at 11 am. It has also been decided that not more than 35 servitors will be present on the chariot during pulling.
Adapa Mandapa Bije ritual of Lord Trinity will be performed after the chariot reaches Mausima temple.
“The unfortunate incident happened due to negligence by the Endowment Department and the district administration. Had they made proper arrangement prior to the pulling of chariots, the accident could have been averted,” said a servitor.
However, Endowment Department clarified that the accident happened due to faulty driving by the charioteer.
“Neither the Endowment Department nor the district administration has anything to do with the accident which occurred due to the faulty driving by the charioteer,” said Endowment official, Balabhadra Patri.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees were left disappointed as they failed to get an opportunity to pull the chariot due to the mishap.
Notably, in Kendrapara town, which is known as Tulasi Khetra, the 64-feet-high ‘Brahma Taladhwaja Ratha’ of Lord Baladevjew was pulled for some distance on Friday and parked near Raghunathjew mutt. Devotees have been allowed to take part in the annual sojourn of the deities after Covid hiatus of two years.