Puri: A day before the Dakhina Moda (southward turn) rituals, cracks developed on the wheels of the three chariots-Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosh, on Thursday.
Big cracks were found on the brake wheel of Taladhwaja while some minor cracks were observed in the Prava of Nandighosh and Darpadalana.
The cracks were observed during an inspection of the chariots before the Dakhina Moda rituals.The Ratha Construction Committee (RCC) supervisor Sudarshan Mekap informed about the development.
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A team of technicians including senior railway engineers, Maharana servitors (Traditional carpenters), Bhoi sevak and Kamar Sevayats (blacksmiths) swung into action to repair the wheels at the earliest.
The RCC committee comprises members of Railway engineers, 6 Bhoi servitors, 10 Maharana servitors and 3 Kamar sevaks, reports said.
The front wheel of the Taladhwaja has slightly bent following the crack in axle, senior Railway technician Rabi Narayan Pani said.
“An axle of the front wheel of Taladhwaja has damaged partially. We are mending it on war footing with the use of clamps. There is also a gap in the axle which is being repaired with special clamps,” Pani said.
The repair work is done using jack machines which helped the technicians lifting the chariot. It will make easy for them to patch up, reports said.
“The wheel of Taladhwaja has slightly bent towards left side. We can completely refurbish it within few hours. The cracks developed in the brake wheel due to frequent use of brakes,” he added.
As many as 45 Railway technicians along with the carpenters (Maharana servitors) and others have been pressed into service to repair the chariot at the earliest. Senior administrative officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) were also present on the spot to monitor the repair works, Pani informed.
However, there are no major damages to the wheels of Nandighosha and Darpa Dalana chariots, the technician added.
Some minor cracks were found on the wheel and axle of the Darapa Dalan and Nandighosh. Mending of these cracks can be done with small clamps without the use of jacks, he pointed out.
Pani assured that all the three chariots would get ready today for Dakhina Moda ritual tomorrow.