The construction of three gigantic chariots for Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, the annual car festival of the Holy Trinity scheduled to be held on July 12, is underway in Puri in full swing. The construction work is being carried out at the 'Ratha Khala' (traditional temple workshop) located on both sides of Bada Danda (Grand Road) in front of the Jagannath temple office and the Sri Nahar palace. The Jagannath temple office said that fixing of 'Kantaa' in the 'Pancha Dandaa', fitting of 'Garagara' and fixing of 4 Nahaka' in the chariots at the Ratha Khala is already complete. The making of 4 Potala Khambi', 2 'Saala' and 7 'Jokha' for Prathama Bhuin of the chariots is also being done.
By: Devbrat Patnaik
Last updated: 18 Jun 2021, 03:06 PM IST
Chariots of the Holy Trinity - Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Devi Subhadra - taking shape at the Bada Danda in Puri, for the annual car festival.
Rath Yatra 2021: 'Maharana'(carpenter) and 'bhoi' (log transporters) servitors engaged in chariot construction work at Puri Bada Danda.
Rath Yatra: Maharana and bhoi servitors engaged in chariot construction work at Puri Bada Danda.
Gigantic wooden chariot at the Puri Bada Danda. The construction is at the halfway mark.
One of the three partially complete chariots taking shape for Holy Trinity's Rath Yatra. The chariot construction work would finish very soon.
Maharan carpenters carving chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra for upcoming Rath Yatra.
The wheels that will be fixed to chariot axles. Lord Jagannatha’s chariot - Nandighosa has 16 wheels, the Chariot of Lord Balabhadra - Taladhwaja will have 14 wheels, while that of Goddess Subhadra - Dwarpadalana, will have 12 wheels.
Chariot construction is being carried out as per the lockdown guidelines, with 'maharana' and 'bhoi' servitors covering their faces with masks. Social distancing is also maintained as much as possible.
Chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra almost in the final leg of preparation ahead of Rath Yatra festival. All servitors involved in Rath Yatra, along with police personnel and temple officials will undergo RT-PCR test.
The thread of hope. 14 ropes will be used for pulling chariots and 6 for cordon.