Jagatsinghpur, July 18: While the world watches the grand Rath Yatra at Puri, a centuries-old tradition unfolds a day later at Gada Kujanga in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district. Known as the Basi Rath Yatra, the unique festival drew nearly 50,000 devotees this year, reaffirming the enduring faith associated with what locals revere as Subhadra Kshetra.

Unlike Puri, where the chariots are pulled on the day of Sri Gundicha, Garhkujanga observes the chariot procession on the following day. Following the completion of all rituals on Sri Gundicha, the representative idol of Lord Jagannath, Madanmohan, is taken out in a ceremonial procession and devotees pull the chariot to the Mausi Maa temple amid chants, music and religious fervour.

"This place is known as Subhadra Kshetra. After the Rath Yatra concludes in Puri, the chariot is pulled here the following day as part of our age-old tradition," said Parthasarathi Rout, Youth President of Balikuda Assembly constituency. "Devotees from across Jagatsinghpur district and neighbouring areas gather to witness this unique Basi Rath Yatra. This year, around 50,000 devotees have participated in the festival."

"Today we are at the Gada Kujanga temple, where the Rath Yatra begins a day after the festival in Puri," said a temple representative. According to local belief and references in the Madala Panji, when Kalapahad attacked the Jagannath Temple in Puri in 1568, the sacred wooden idols were damaged. It is believed that Bisar Mohanty rescued the partially burnt sacred Daru of Lord Jagannath and brought it to the forests of present-day Garhkujang, where it was worshipped for several years before being returned to Puri. Although all three deities are worshipped in the temple, the unique tradition of the Basi Rath Yatra continues to preserve this sacred legacy."

Following the rituals observed at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the ceremonial Pahandi Bije of Madanmohan is held on Sri Gundicha, followed by the traditional Chhera Pahanra ritual performed by the ceremonial king. The chariot, however, is pulled only on the following evening, setting Garhkujang apart from every other Rath Yatra celebration in Odisha.

The Kunjabihari Temple, once built under the patronage of the erstwhile local rulers, was later renovated through the efforts of the late Damodar Rout, former minister and local MLA. Today, the shrine continues to preserve a distinctive chapter of Odisha's Jagannath tradition, drawing thousands of pilgrims every year.

Despite the large turnout, devotees continue to face difficulties due to the narrow approach road leading to the temple. Residents have urged the authorities to improve the infrastructure to better accommodate the growing number of pilgrims visiting one of Odisha's most distinctive Rath Yatra celebrations.