After the completion of the world famous Rath Yatra in Puri, the process of dismantling the three gigantic chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath began on Sunday.
As per tradition, the Bhoi servitors have started dismantling of the three chariots placed in front of Singha Dwara in presence of Bhoi Sardar after due permission from the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). As many as 10 Bhoi servitors have been engaged in the dismantling work.
“At first, Devi Suhadra’s chariot, ‘Darpadalana’, is being dismantled following which Lord Balabhadra’s ‘Taladhwaja’ and Lord Jagannath’s ‘Nandighosa’ will be disassembled, respectively,” said Bhoi Sardar Rabi Bhoi.
“We had helped in the construction work of the chariots for over 2 months. Now, we have to dismantle those chariots after reciting the name of the Lords,” he said.
Unlike the construction of chariots, which starts from the base (wheels, axle, etc), the dismantling begins from the top (which goes like this kalash, olta sua, khapuri parabadhi, potala etc). Earlier horses, charioteers and ‘parshwa deva-devis’ were taken away from the chariots.
After disassembling the chariots completely, the Bhoi servitors will submit the nails used in the construction of the chariots at the SJTA office.
The dismantled wooden components will be used in the Srimandir’s kitchen to cook the ‘Kotha Bhoga’.