Construction of Rath Yatra Chariots starts at Puri

BY: PRIYADARSHINI MOHAPATRA

May 10, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — The construction of the three chariots for the forthcoming Rath Yatra began on the auspicious occasion of akshaya tritiya on Thursday. The making of the giant wooden chariots for the three presiding Deities of the Jagannath Temple is likely to be completed just three days before the nine-day world famous Rath Yatra on July 4.

The construction work began soon after the performance of a ceremonial ritual called homa by the temple purohit. "While most of the timbers required for the construction of the chariots have reached here, the rest will reach here very soon. The state Forest Department has been providing timber from Nayagarh, Daspalla and Khandapada forests," said Laxmidhar Pujapanda, the Jagannath Temple’s Public Relations Officer.

According to sources, a total number of 1,140 timbers including phasi, dhaura, asan, simili, and sahaj are used for the making of the chariots. The height of the Taladhwaja (of Lord Balabhadra) chariot will be 45 ft., Nandighos (of Lord Jagannath) chariot will be of 45.6 ft., and Devidalan (of Goddess Subhadra) chariot will be of 44.6 ft., sources said.

According to sources, a total number of 1,140 timbers Nearly seventy-five carpenters will be in action in the first phase, sources informed. In addition, nearly 70 assistants (bhois), 10 blacksmiths, 22 painters and several traditional tailors will also be engaged in putting finishing touches to the chariots.

According to sources, a total number of 1,140 timbers The temple administration this year heaved a sigh of relief following availability of an ample number of Phasi timbers, a vital species of wood for the making of the chariots. The Phasi timber used to run out of stock in previous years. Following the Phasi timbers’ dwindling population, the state Forest Department had not been able to provide the required number of Phasi logs in previous years. The temple administration had to appeal to common devotees from across the state to donate Phasi timbers for the holy purpose. A Phasi timber donors’ bank was established in the state where the names of the donors were recorded.

According to sources, a total number of 1,140 timbers "This year we have no such problem of facing Phasi timber scarcity. We have located a number of dense natural Phasi forests on the banks of Mahanadi and Kusumi rivers near Khandapara under the Nayagarg district. Looking at the huge number of the trees, we hope that our requirement of Phasi timber will be fulfilled for hundred years from now," said a temple official.

Filed in Puri by Sun Correspondent, Priyadarshini Mohapatra