Cuttack: Keeping with the tradition, the first log to be used in construction of the chariots for the famous Puri Rath Yatra was sliced on the occasion of Ram Navami at the Government Saw Mill at Khapuria in Cuttack today.
Considered auspicious, Ram Navami, marks the beginning of the process of slicing the timber which will be subsequently used to construct gigantic three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and devi Subhadra for Puri Rath Yatra.
As per tradition, the slicing of the wooden logs commenced after receiving ‘Agyanmala’ from the Puri Srimandir. Officials of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and forest department along with Puri temple servitors and Maharana sevayats were present on the occasion.
"The slicing of the logs meant for construction of the chariots starts on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. Only after ‘Agyanmala’ was brought, the work for timber slicing was undertaken, " said Chief Administrator (Rituals) of Puri Srimandir, Pradeep Kumar Das.
The tradition of cutting of the timber at the Government Saw Mill at Khapuria has been continuing for the last 13 years under the supervision of carpenters of the Puri Jagannath Temple.
These logs will be used for the construction of the seven axles and 14 wheels of the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, eight axle and 16 wheels of Lord Jagannath and 6 axles, 12 wheels along with platform and base of the chariot of Goddess Subhadra.
The construction of the chariots will begin from Akshaya Tritiya on April 18, 2018.