BERHAMPUR, July 12, 2013: At least in three places in Ganjam district, chariots were drawn on Thursday. Braving heavy downpour, hundreds of devotees pulled chariots at Surangi, Dharakote andDigapahandi amid tight security. Several Telugu people from nearby villages of AndhraPradesh and tribals participated in the festival at Surangi, about 45 km from here. In terms of rituals, the festival in these towns is almost similar to Puri.

Since the Jagannath Temple was built in Surangi, a village near Odisha-AP border, in 18th century, locals and temple management have been celebrating Rath Yatra a day after the Puri festival, president of the festival committee Gopal Chandra Hota said.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 12, 2013.