Rath Yatra in Puri: Preparation for chariot construction begins with traditional sawing of wood logs

Preparation for Rath Yatra took its ceremonial first step. Construction of the three iconic chariots commenced with the traditional sawing of wood in Cuttack, on Sunday. This sacred process started only after the wood was blessed with an Agyan Mala brought in from the Jagannath temple in Puri, ensuring the ritualistic sanctity of the event.

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The initial phase involved the sawing of three pieces of wood, which will be followed by further stages to complete the chariots. Chief Administrator of the shrine, Arabinda Padhee, was present on the occasion along with a group of other senior officials. They were joined by the head carpenter (Maharana) who played a vital role in overseeing the ceremonious proceedings, ensuring that all traditional practices were meticulously followed.

“The preparation process for this year’s Rath Yatra has already begun. Wood logs meant for the chariot making are usually worshipped on Basant Panchami and their Chirata rituals are performed on Ram Navami. As per the traditions, sawing is carried out in the sawmill at Khapuria, Cuttack every year,” the Chief Administrator stated.

“However, the process of making chariots will begin on Akshaya Tritiya,” Padhee added.

Preparations for 2025 Rath Yatra

Authorities have acquired 101 of 865 required wood pieces as of March 2025, with plans to complete chariot construction by June 11 (Devasnan Purnima). Key initiatives include: AI-powered crowd management systems - 180 security platoons deployment - Road repairs along the 2.5km Grand Avenue route - Special fire safety measures with 46 tenders.

Materials and chariot construction

The construction of Puri's iconic chariots requires 12 wood species including Dharua, Phasi, and Asana, with around 1,100 large logs and 865 smaller logs. These are transformed into 4,000 precisely shaped components using traditional tools like Mugdara mallets and Barishi axes. The chariots feature 1,090 meters of vibrant Pipili appliqué cloth in deity-specific color schemes: red/yellow for Jagannath, green/red for Balabhadra, and red/black for Subhadra.

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The traditional craftsmanship

Hereditary artisans construct the chariots using ancestral measurement systems without blueprints. A 57-day process begins on Akshaya Tritiya (April 30, 2025), involving 150-220 craftsmen specialising in woodwork, iron fittings, and textile decorations. Remarkably, no modern machinery or formal engineering training is used.