Nuapada: There is no specific occasion or time to worship the Lord of the universe- Sri Jagannath. Such an example is set by Konabira village in Nuapada district where a Rath Jatra is carried out on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.
The tradition of celebrating Rath Jatra on Kartik Purnima by locals of Konabira village has been continuing since 22 years and the festival is termed as 'Balijatra Rath Jatra'.
Like Rath Jatra of Puri, idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed on a chariot which is pulled by the devotees with fervor.
Later, as per the ritual a Bahuda Jatra of the three deities is carried out.
According to sources, the legend has it that long ago the chief priest of the Jagannath Temple in the village was asked by Lord Jagannath in his dream to hold Rath Jatra on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. Since then Rath Jatra is held on the occasion Kartik Purnima here.
"No one knows what we will have in future. So we just pray to the Lord to bless us so that like this year we will be able to hold the Rath Jatra next year," said Jagannath Majhi, Priest of Jagannath Temple in Konabira.