Chariot construction begins for Puri Rath Yatra

Puri: Ahead of the annual Rath Yatra of the Trinity, construction of chariots began with ‘Ratha Anukula’ here on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Wednesday.

The three 12-ft sacred logs of ‘Dhaura Katha’ were brought to the ‘Ratha Khala’ near the Jagannath temple.

The process commenced with the axe being given the divine touch after getting the ‘Aagyan Mala’ (permission garland) from the deities followed by special rituals conducted by the temple priests.

The first logs which are being used in construction of the chariots for the famous Rath Yatra were sliced on the occasion of Ram Navami at the Government Saw Mill at Khapuria in Cuttack.

As per sources, these logs will be used for the construction of the seven axles and 14 wheels of the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, eight axles and 16 wheels of Lord Jagannath’s chariot and six axles and 12 wheels along with platform and base of the chariot of Goddess Subhadra.

Another major event of Lord Jagannath- Chandan Jatra also kicked off on Wednesday and will continue for 21 days.