Puri: Rath Yatra this year has been quite distinct in more ways than one. After this year's Rath Yatra was held without devotees, the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided not to dismantle and preserve the chariots of the Lord Jagannath and his siblings for public viewing.
According to sources, the temple administration has decided, unlike every year, not to dismantle the chariots and place them at Jagannath Ballav for the darshan of the devotees.
After taking measurements, few parts of the chariots will be removed and taken to the mutt. Later the removed parts of the chariots will be reassembled again, sources added.
“We have requested to set up a technical committee to preserve the chariots from getting damaged. The plans to place the chariots of the deities at Jagannath Ballav have been approved,” SJTA chief administrator, Krishan Kumar said.
“First, the place to park the chariots will be identified. In the next meeting it will be decided if the chariots will be disassembled or not. But, we have clearly mentioned that once the raths are disassembled, it will be difficult to reassemble them again,” said chief carpenter of Nandighosa chariot, Bijaya Kumar Mohapatra.
The chariots are dismantled every year after completion of Rath Yatra and the wood is used in the temple kitchen.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
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