The auspicious journey of the Brahma Taladhwaja Rath in Kendrapara’s Tulasi Kshetra took an unexpected turn—literally—when the massive chariot came to a halt while navigating a sharp left turn.
The chariot, dedicated to Lord Baladevjew, faced trouble near the Debottar Department route, halting the grand procession and leaving devotees concerned.
The incident occurred during the second day of the Rath Yatra, amid a sea of devoted pilgrims. According to local sources, while manoeuvring through a tight left turn, the Rath’s wheels struggled to align, causing it to get stuck on the track. This unusual delay invoked not just divine hopes but also swift administrative action.
A railway jack was brought in to assist with realigning the chariot wheels back onto the track. The coordinated effort between temple authorities and district officials helped resume the Yatra, albeit delayed, ensuring devotees could continue their spiritual procession safely.
This isn’t the first instance of such a mishap during Kendrapara’s Rath Yatra. Last year, a similar issue disrupted the event, raising questions about the route infrastructure and planning for such massive wooden chariots.
As rituals resume and the Rath inches ahead, locals and devotees look to the skies for blessings—and perhaps, smoother turns ahead.