Puri Rath Yatra: In a first, timber for chariots sourced from Boudh

Puri: Sourced for the first time from Madhapur Range in Boudh district, timber for construction of chariots for the famous Rath Yatra arrived in Puri today.

Twenty six logs of 'Asana' tree and four logs of 'Dhurua' tree arrived in a truck and have been stored near the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) office. Each log is 12 ft in length and three ft in diameter.

Earlier the logs for construction of chariots were collected from Dasapalla of Nayagarh. However, due to shortage, they are being sourced from Boudh for the first time.

The construction of the chariots for the world famous Rath Yatra will start from April 18, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

It is worthwhile to mention that around 1,000 trees of three different species of trees - Phasi, Asana and Dhurua - are felled every year for construction of the three chariots - Taladhwaja, Darpadalana and Nandighosa.