Chariot Construction For Rath Yatra To Begin

PURI: The chariot construction for the upcoming Rath Yatra of deities in Sri Mandir at Puri is all set to begin on Akshaya Tritiya on Monday.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has set up a Rath yard on Grand Road for the construction of the chariots. Workers have covered the Rath yard with mats of coconut leaves to protect the carpenters from the blistering sun. Around 700 logs from Nayagarh forest division have already reached the Rath yard.

Brahmin priests will consecrate three logs for the construction of Nandighosh chariot of Lord Jagannath, Taladhwaj chariot of Lord Balabhadra and Darpadalan chariot of Goddess Subhadra amid the recital of hymns, SJTA sources said.

Pujapanda Samanta servitors will carry three Agyan Mala (garlands depicting consent of the deities) to the Rath yard in the afternoon after the completion of Madhyanha Dhoopa ritual of the Trinity, sources said.

Brahmin priests will formally invite the three chief carpenters to begin chariot construction by offering them silk-made headgears. The three chief carpenters will invite other colleagues and juniors by sending them holy betel nuts.

SJTA sources said altogether 75 carpenters and an equal number of Bhoi servitors are scheduled to participate in the chariot construction work.