Koraput: The chariots of Jagannath, Bhalbhadra and Subhadra roll out across the state on the day of rath yatra but in Jeypore the ritual takes place the next day.

Adhering to the tradition, this year too, the chariots were was pulled on Sunday instead of Saturday.

However, all other rituals like Pahandi bije (bringing the deities in a procession) and Chhera Pahanra (sweeping the chariot floors with golden broom) are performed on the first day. Though there are no historical facts in support of this practice but the tradition has given rise to speculations and myths over the years.

It is said during older times, the king's palace was located at Puranagada, on the outskirts of Jeypore town, instead of the present Jeypore. At that time rath yatra was observed at Puranagada and bethias or bonded labourers were engaged to pull the chariots.

"However, after the palace was shifted to Jeypore, the festival was observed both at Jeypore and Puranagada. The bethias used to come to Jeypore to pull the chariot on second day after pulling the chariots at Puranagada on rath yatra," said an elderly person of Jeypore.

A few others feel that an unfortunate incident in the royal family on rath yatra day gave rise to this tradition.

At Jeypore, the gods stay on the rathas on its first day and reach the Gundicha temple on the second day.

A source said the height of the chariots here used to be 60ft with 16 wheels with a 60 metre rope made from a special plant. Now, the design of the chariot has been preserved but the height has been reduced to about 35ft with eight wheels.