Pottangi: The annual Rath Yatra was observed in the disputed Kotia panchayat of Koraput district Friday, a day after the festival was celebrated across the state, with local journalists alleging they were not informed in advance by the block administration.
Following traditional rituals Thursday, the chariot procession took place Friday in keeping with local customs. The rituals were conducted by priests Prashant Kumar Panda of Shabar Srikhetra and Muguri Tadingi, the temple’s daily priest.
Devotees and public representatives later pulled the chariot to the Gundicha Temple, set up at a local Anganwadi centre. Among those who attended were Pottangi MLA Rama Chandra Kadam, Koraput MLA Raghuram Machha, former MP Jayaram Pangi, former MLA Pitam Padhi, Koraput Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, Superintendent of Police Rohit Varma and other district officials. The ceremonial Chhera Pahanra ritual was performed by former Kotia sarpanch Sidheswar Gemel before the chariot procession began.
Several dignitaries were also felicitated during the event. However, local media representatives alleged that the Pottangi block administration did not issue prior intimation about the event despite its significance in the disputed Kotia region. Journalists from the district and block nevertheless attended the procession and covered the event. The alleged lack of communication from the block administration has drawn criticism.
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