Kotpad : The Chaturdha Murti Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was celebrated with grandeur and ceremony in Kotpad. The entire town was festive, from the villages to the city. At the Jagannath Temple in Kotpad, the rituals began with Mangala Alati, Abakash, morning incense (Dhoopa), and Khichdi Bhoga. Priests and sevayats beautifully adorned the deities.
The deities were then ceremonially carried in the Pahandi Bije procession from the temple to the chariot. Around 4 PM, a puja was performed in front of the chariot. The festival officially began in the presence of Kotpad Tahsildar Trinikal Sethi and her family.
For the first time in the region, a female Tahsildar, Trinikal Sethi, performed the Chhera Pahanra (ceremonial sweeping of the chariot), a notable and respectful tradition she accomplished with honor.
After the public was allowed to have darshan of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on the chariot, the chariot pulling began at 5 PM. Officials from various departments, temple priests including Shishira Shadangi, Rajendra Adhikari, Bajrang Mahapatra, and others participated in organizing the event and performing rituals.
Present at the event were Kotpad MLA Rupul Rathara, Kotpad Block Chairperson M. Shankar Rao, former MLA Padmini Dian, former MLA Chandrasekhar Majhi, Congress MLA candidate Anamu Bian, temple committee chairman Manohar Bisoai, all committee members, and members of the Kotpad Bharat Media Association along with media personnel.
Thousands of devotees participated in the festival with discipline and devotion. Four battalions of police were deployed to maintain law and order and manage traffic. The fire department and health department were also present to ensure safety and medical assistance.
By 7 PM, the chariot reached Mausi Maa Temple, and by 8 PM, the deities were ceremoniously taken into the temple. Today, the first avatars of Lord Jagannath—Matsya (fish) and Kurma (tortoise)—will give darshan to the devotees. As the Rath Yatra concluded peacefully, the administration expressed gratitude to everyone involved.