Baripada Rath Yatra 2026 Draws Thousands, Women Lead Subhadra Chariot Tradition

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Thousands of devotees participated in the Baripada Rath Yatra 2026.
Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot was the first to roll out.
Women devotees exclusively pulled Goddess Subhadra’s Darpadalana chariot.

BARIPADA: Thousands of devotees thronged Baripada in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Friday as the Baripada Rath Yatra 2026 began with religious fervour and centuries-old traditions. Revered as Odisha’s Second Srikshetra after Puri, the town came alive with devotional chants, traditional music and spiritual celebrations as the three sacred chariots rolled through the streets.

The annual chariot festival is widely known for preserving rituals that distinguish it from the Puri Rath Yatra, particularly the unique tradition in which only women are allowed to pull the chariot of Goddess Subhadra.

Baripada Rath Yatra 2026 Begins with Traditional Chariot Procession

Following the completion of the ceremonial Pahandi ritual on Thursday, the grand procession commenced on Friday afternoon in the presence of thousands of devotees.

In keeping with long-standing customs, Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja chariot was the first to move through the town. After it reached near the Mausima Temple, devotees began pulling Goddess Subhadra’s Darpadalana chariot, which proceeded along its designated route amid continuous chanting and prayers.

The remaining rituals were carried out according to traditional practices observed annually during the Baripada Rath Yatra.

Women Preserve a Unique Centuries-Old Ritual

The most distinctive feature of the Baripada Rath Yatra 2026 remained the exclusive participation of women devotees in pulling the ropes of Goddess Subhadra’s chariot.

This tradition, preserved for generations, is unique to Baripada and symbolises devotion, dignity and the important role of women in Odisha’s religious and cultural heritage. The sight of hundreds of women collectively pulling the sacred chariot continues to draw pilgrims and visitors from across the country every year.

Pleasant weather further encouraged a large turnout, with devotees from different districts assembling to witness one of Odisha’s most celebrated religious festivals.

Baripada Rath Yatra Reflects Odisha’s Rich Cultural Heritage

Authorities deployed extensive security personnel and implemented comprehensive traffic and crowd-management measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.